Barium swallow
Updates to Article Attributes
Barium swallow is a dedicated test of the upper GI tract and may be performed as a single or double contrast study.
Upper GI endoscopy (UGIE) has largely replaced the barium swallow for the assessment of peptic ulcer disease and the assessment of haematemesis.
Indications
However, there remain some situations where barium swallow is indicated:
- high or low dysphagia
- gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- assessment of hiatus hernia
- generalised epigastric pain
- globus hystericus
- post-operative assessment for leak
- suspected perforation
- persistent vomiting
- assessment of fistula
- failed intubation during UGIE
Technique
Examination technique depends on the indication of study. Preparation needed for study is overnight fasting, avoiding smoking or chewing gum to decrease the secretions in oral cavity and pharynx.
Evaluation of pharynx
It needs dynamic video-fluoroscopic examination as well as double contrast spot films. Scout films are obtained to rule out any foreign body, abscess or fistula. Right lateral and frontal views are obtained after patient swallowing high density barium. Patient is asked to avoid repeated swallowing. Spots are obtained quickly during suspended respiration and under phonation (patient instructed to say "Eeeee....").
Evaluation of oesophagus
Double contrast barium swallow is the preferred mode of examination. Patient swallows a packet of effervescent agent and then rapidly gulps a packet of high density barium. Frontal and left posterior oblique views are taken. Two exposures are centered on upper/mid oesophagus and two on distal oesophagus.
Then, table is brought to horizontal position and patient turns to right lateral position for view of gastric cardia and fundus. Then, patient drinks low density barium in prone right anterior oblique position. Two to five separate swallows are assesed to evaluate motility of esophagus. This also permits evaluation of distal esophagus and GE junction, delineating lower esophageal rings and strictures.
Patient is finally turned onto the left side and then onto back, so that barium pools in the gastric fundus. GE junction is then observed fluoroscopically as the patient slowly turns to right and elicits Gastro-esophageal reflux. Straight leg raising, Valsalva manoevre or drinking water can also elicit the reflux.
Additional views like mucosal relief views are useful in suspected tumors, varices or esophagitis.
Radiographic appearance
On the frontal view, the piriform fossae are outlined by barium and the epiglottis and the base of the tongue show as filling defects in the midline.
On the lateral view, the tongue base and epiglottis are seen from the side, with the vallecula between. A posterior indentation caused by contraction of the cricopharyngeus muscle indicates the commencement of the cervical esophagus.
The cervical esophagus is lying on the ventral surface of the cervical spine.
The thoracic esophagus is best demonstrated in the right anterior oblique position.
-</ul><h4>Technique</h4><p>Examination technique depends on the indication of study. Preparation needed for study is overnight fasting, avoiding smoking or chewing gum to decrease the secretions in oral cavity and pharynx.</p><h5>Evaluation of pharynx</h5><p>It needs dynamic video-fluoroscopic examination as well as double contrast spot films. Scout films are obtained to rule out any foreign body, abscess or fistula. Right lateral and frontal views are obtained after patient swallowing high density barium. Patient is asked to avoid repeated swallowing. Spots are obtained quickly during suspended respiration and under phonation (patient instructed to say "Eeeee....").</p><h5>Evaluation of oesophagus</h5><p>Double contrast barium swallow is the preferred mode of examination. Patient swallows a packet of effervescent agent and then rapidly gulps a packet of high density barium. Frontal and left posterior oblique views are taken. Two exposures are centered on upper/mid oesophagus and two on distal oesophagus.</p><p>Then, table is brought to horizontal position and patient turns to right lateral position for view of gastric cardia and fundus. Then, patient drinks low density barium in prone right anterior oblique position. Two to five separate swallows are assesed to evaluate motility of esophagus. This also permits evaluation of distal esophagus and GE junction, delineating lower esophageal rings and strictures.</p><p>Patient is finally turned onto the left side and then onto back, so that barium pools in the gastric fundus. GE junction is then observed fluoroscopically as the patient slowly turns to right and elicits Gastro-esophageal reflux. Straight leg raising, Valsalva manoevre or drinking water can also elicit the reflux.</p><p>Additional views like mucosal relief views are useful in suspected tumors, varices or esophagitis.</p>- +</ul><h4>Technique</h4><p>Examination technique depends on the indication of study. Preparation needed for study is overnight fasting, avoiding smoking or chewing gum to decrease the secretions in oral cavity and pharynx.</p><h5>Evaluation of pharynx</h5><p>It needs dynamic video-fluoroscopic examination as well as double contrast spot films. Scout films are obtained to rule out any foreign body, abscess or fistula. Right lateral and frontal views are obtained after patient swallowing high density barium. Patient is asked to avoid repeated swallowing. Spots are obtained quickly during suspended respiration and under phonation (patient instructed to say "Eeeee....").</p><h5>Evaluation of oesophagus</h5><p>Double contrast barium swallow is the preferred mode of examination. Patient swallows a packet of effervescent agent and then rapidly gulps a packet of high density barium. Frontal and left posterior oblique views are taken. Two exposures are centered on upper/mid oesophagus and two on distal oesophagus.</p><p>Then, table is brought to horizontal position and patient turns to right lateral position for view of gastric cardia and fundus. Then, patient drinks low density barium in prone right anterior oblique position. Two to five separate swallows are assesed to evaluate motility of esophagus. This also permits evaluation of distal esophagus and GE junction, delineating lower esophageal rings and strictures.</p><p>Patient is finally turned onto the left side and then onto back, so that barium pools in the gastric fundus. GE junction is then observed fluoroscopically as the patient slowly turns to right and elicits Gastro-esophageal reflux. Straight leg raising, Valsalva manoevre or drinking water can also elicit the reflux.</p><p>Additional views like mucosal relief views are useful in suspected tumors, varices or esophagitis.</p><h4>Radiographic appearance</h4><p>On the frontal view, the piriform fossae are outlined by barium and the epiglottis and the base of the tongue show as filling defects in the midline. </p><p>On the lateral view, the tongue base and epiglottis are seen from the side, with the vallecula between. A posterior indentation caused by contraction of the cricopharyngeus muscle indicates the commencement of the cervical esophagus. </p><p>The cervical esophagus is lying on the ventral surface of the cervical spine.</p><p>The thoracic esophagus is best demonstrated in the right anterior oblique position.</p>
References changed:
- 3. Anatomy for Diagnostic Imaging. Saunders Ltd. ISBN:0702029718. <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0702029718">Read it at Google Books</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0702029718">Find it at Amazon</a><span class="auto"></span>
Image 1 Fluoroscopy (AP) ( create )
Image 3 Fluoroscopy (Spot frontal image) ( update )
Image 5 Barium ( update )
Image 6 Fluoroscopy (Oblique) ( update )
Image 8 Barium ( update )
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