A barium swallow is a medical imaging procedure used to examine the upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract, which includes the esophagus and, to a lesser extent, the stomach. Medical imaging refers to the techniques and processes used to create Images of the human body (or parts thereof for clinical purposes ( Medical procedures seeking to
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Principle
Barium sulfate is a type of contrast medium that is visible to x-rays. Barium sulfate is a white crystalline solid with the chemical formula BaSO4 RadiocontrastIn a medical setting a contrast medium is any Substance that is used to enhance the visibility of structures or fluids within the body As the patient swallows the barium suspension, it coats the esphagus with a thin layer of the barium. This enables the hollow structure to be imaged.
This is commonly used with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate crystals) to produce gas (see Reactions of sodium bicarbonate). Sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the Chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3 Sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the Chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3 Sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the Chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3 As gas is low in density, and the X-rays pass through very easily, they will appear as black patches, as opposed to the white produced by relatively-dense barium. As such, it is extremely useful in providing a contrast to the barium, to produce a double contrast image, to allow better visualisation of the contrasting features within the mucosal layer of the esophagus. The esophagus or oesophagus (see American and British English spelling differences) sometimes known as the gullet, is an organ in Note, however, that this technique induces gas production in the esophagus, and will be uncomfortable to the subject.
Barium sulfate is irritable outside the gastrointestinal tract. In cases where a leak is suspected or desired to be demonstrated, contrast imaging involving the use of water-soluble contrast media containing iodine is used. A section of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System.
As with all X-rays, the barium swallow technique employs radiation, and may irradiate the patient unnecessarily. Radiation, as in Physics, is Energy in the form of waves or moving Subatomic particles emitted by an atom or other body as it changes from a higher energy The barium swallow should not be used unless required, and, although it cannot be replaced by endoscopy as for the barium enema, should be avoided as much as possible for children and pregnant women. Endoscopy means looking inside and typically refers to looking inside the body for medical reasons using an instrument called an endoscope. lower gastrointestinal series, also called a barium enema, is a medical procedure used to examine and diagnose problems with the human colon (large intestine
Examination
The patient is asked to drink a suspension of barium sulfate. Barium sulfate is a white crystalline solid with the chemical formula BaSO4 Fluoroscopy images are taken as the barium is swallowed. Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique commonly used by Physicians to obtain real-time moving images of the internal structures of a patient through the use of a fluoroscope This is typically at a rate of 2 or 3 frames pers second. The patient is asked to swallow the Barium a number of times, whilst standing in different positions, i. e. AP, oblique and lateral, to assess the 3D structure as best possible.
Pathology
Pathologies detected on a Barium Swallow include:
- Achalasia
- Cancer of oesophagus
- Tracheoesophageal fistula
- Schatzki ring
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD/GORD)
- Zenker's diverticulum
- Hiatus hernia
- Obstruction of esophagus
- Esophageal stenosis
- Dementia
See also
References
- Boon et al. Achalasia, also known as esophageal achalasia, achalasia cardiae, cardiospasm, dyssynergia esophagus, and esophageal aperistalsis Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the Esophagus. There are various subtypes A tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF is an abnormal connection ( Fistula) between the Esophagus and the trachea. A Schatzki ring or Schatzki-Gary ring is a ring found in the lower part of the Esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( American English and Canadian English) or Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease ( British English, Hiberno-English In Anatomy, Zenker's diverticulum, also pharyngoesophageal diverticulum, is a Diverticulum of the Mucosa of the Pharynx, just above A hiatus hernia or hiatal hernia is the protrusion (or Herniation) of the upper part of the Stomach into the Thorax through a tear or weakness lower gastrointestinal series, also called a barium enema, is a medical procedure used to examine and diagnose problems with the human colon (large intestine A barium meal, also known as an upper gastrointestinal series is a procedure in which radiographs of the Esophagus, A barium follow-through procedure is a type of Medical imaging technique Davidson's Principles & Practice of Medicine, 20th Edition, Chapter 22
- Harvard Health Publications - Diagnostic Tests - Barium Swallow - http://www.health.harvard.edu/diagnostic-tests/barium-swallow.htm
- Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003816.htm
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