Exam Explanation

A barium small bowel follow-through involves filling the small intestine with barium liquid while X-ray images are being taken. Barium small bowel follow-throughs are used to diagnose disorders of the small intestine, such as ulcers, tumors, and inflammatory bowel disease, a group of disorders that includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Exam Preparation

Patients will be asked to refrain from eating or drinking after midnight on the night before the examination.

During the Exam

Patients are given a bottle of barium to drink. X-rays are taken every 20 to 30 minutes over the next hour or two until the entire small bowel is opacified. This exam can take several hours.