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Barium X-ray examinations are useful tools for the study of appearance and function of the parts of the gastrointestinal tract. They are used to diagnose and monitor esophageal reflux, dysphagia, hiatus hernia, strictures, diverticula, pyloric stenosis, gastritis, enteritis, volvulus, varices, ulcers, tumors, and gastrointestinal dysmotility, as well as to detect foreign bodies.
The use of barium during pregnancy is safe for the baby; however, X-rays may result in harm. [4] Barium sulfate suspension is typically made by mixing barium sulfate powder with water. [1] It is a non-iodinated contrast media. [5] Barium sulfate has been known since the Middle Ages. [6] In the United States it had come into common medical use ...
Different consistencies of liquid and food mixed with barium sulfate are fed to the patient by spoon, cup or syringe, and x-rayed using videofluoroscopy. A patient's swallowing then can be evaluated and described. Some clinicians might choose to describe each phase of the swallow in detail, making mention of any delays or deviations from the norm.
Peptic ulcer disease is when the inner part of the stomach's gastric mucosa (lining of the stomach), the first part of the small intestine, or sometimes the lower esophagus, gets damaged. An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer , while one in the first part of the intestines is a duodenal ulcer . [ 1 ]
It can be diagnosed with an X-ray while the patient swallows barium (called a barium study of the esophagus), by a computerized tomography scan, a biopsy, [4] or by an endoscopy. Treatment [ edit ]
Gastroparesis is suspected in patients who have abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or bloating, or when these symptoms occur after eating. Once an upper endoscopy has been performed to exclude peptic ulcer disease or gastric outlet obstruction as the root of their symptoms, those patients should be tested for gastroparesis.
High urea and creatinine levels may also be observed if the patient is dehydrated. Abdominal X-ray may show a gastric fluid level which would support the diagnosis. Barium meal and follow through may show an enlarged stomach and pyloroduodenal stenosis. [3] Gastroscopy may help with cause and can be used therapeutically.
Not all patients with Schatzki rings have symptoms; barium swallow tests of the esophagus sometimes show Schatzki rings in patients with no swallowing difficulties. [ citation needed ] When Schatzki rings cause symptoms, they usually result in episodic difficulties with swallowing (dysphagia) solid foods, or a sensation that the food "sticks ...