 Barium Studies • Barium Enema
The barium enema is an exam performed for the evaluation of the colon.
Most commonly this is for bleeding, pain, constipation, or diarrhea. These exams
are also performed for screening for colon cancer. Preparation for this exam is
fairly extensive requiring: Begin clear liquids the day before the examination
(This includes breakfast,lunch and super if possible. Take 2 oz. of castor oil
at 1 p.m., or as early as possible on the day before the examination. Take 3
Dulcolax tablets 4 hours after taking the castor oil. Drink at least one glass (8
ox.) of water each hour all day until MIDNIGHT on the day before examination.
Nothing to eat or drink after MIDNIGHT until the examination is completed. Do not
chew gum. Take a 1 1/2 quart warm tap water enema at 6 a.m. the morning of the
examination. Repeat until the solution returns clear.
On the day of your examination you will register at the
outpatient registration desk. A technologist will then greet you and take you to
the dressing room to change. You will then be escorted to a fluoroscopy room where
you will lie on a table. An enema tip is then gently inserted into your rectum.
The Radiologist will then introduce barium or barium and air into your colon
through this tube. You will be turned in several different positions and multiple
films obtained. After completion of these pictures, the enema tip is removed and
you are allowed to go to the restroom. A film is obtained after this and then you
are taken back to the dressing room. The films are checked by the Radiologist and
if they are of good quality then the exam is complete. You will then be escorted
back to the waiting room with some post procedure instructions, such as drinking
lots of water to flush the barium through your colon. You could take a mild laxative
the day after the exam.
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