This is a study of the small bowel using a barium-based liquid.
What does it involve?
The patient is given 10mg of Maxalon syrup on arrival in the department. A small tube is then threaded through the nasal cavity, down the back of the throat and through the patient’s stomach into the duodenum. An anaesthetic gel is placed in the nose to numb it prior ot tube placement. The barium is then administered very slowly through the tube and x-ray films are taken at intervals to show the loops of the small bowel. The patient will be asked to roll into various positions on the x-ray table to help the barium move around the bowel. The tube is removed and the end of the procedure.
How long will it take?
This examination takes approximately 1 hour.
Is there any preparation?
Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours before your appointment time. For a morning appointment, the best results are obtained if nothing is eaten since dinner the night before.
Aftercare:
You can eat and drink normally afterwards. Drink plenty of fluid to help the barium wash through your system.
