UNION HOSPITAL CLINTON IMAGING SERVICES

UGI

As the patient drinks the liquid barium, which resembles a light-colored milkshake, the radiologist will watch the barium pass through the patient's digestive tract on a fluoroscope, a device that projects radiographic images in a movie-like sequence onto a monitor. The exam table will be positioned at different angles and the patient's abdomen may be compressed to help spread the barium. Once the upper gastrointestinal tract is adequately coated with the barium, still x-ray images will be taken and stored for further review.

The prep for this exam is nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the test.

The exam last approximately 30 minutes.

Sm. Bowel follow through

Similar to an Upper GI, the patient drinks the liquid barium as the Radiologist watches the barium pass through the digestive tract. Xray images will be taken at 15 minute intervals until the barium has passed all through the small intestines.

The prep for this exam is nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

The exam lasts approximately 1 hour.

Esophagus/Barium Swallow

As the patient drinks the liquid barium, which resembles a light-colored milkshake, the radiologist will watch the barium pass through the patient's digestive tract on a fluoroscope, a device that projects radiographic images in a movie-like sequence onto a monitor. The exam table will be positioned at different angles and the patient's abdomen may be compressed to help spread the barium. Once the upper gastrointestinal tract is adequately coated with the barium, still x-ray images will be taken and stored for further review.

The prep for this exam is nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the test.

The exam last approximately 30 minutes.

Barium Enema

The patient is positioned on the examination table and an x-ray film is taken to ensure the bowel is clean. The radiologist or technologist will then insert a small tube into the rectum and begin to pump a mixture of barium and water into the colon. Air may also be injected through the tube to help the barium thoroughly coat the lining of the colon. Next, a series of x-ray images is taken. Once the x-ray images are completed, most of the barium will be withdrawn through the tube. The patient will then expel the remaining barium and air in the restroom. In some cases, the additional x-ray images will be taken.

The prep for this exam is clear liquid diet the day before the examination. Take two (2) ounces of castor oil after the noon meal (day before the examination). If you are allergic to castor oil, you can substitute one 10 oz. Bottle of Magnesium Citrate. Drink 1 bottle of X-Prep at 4pm. Drink at least one glass of water each hour from 1pm - 8pm the day before the examination. Nothing by mouth after midnight until the end of the examination.

The exam lasts approximately 1 hour.

IVP

The patient is positioned on the table and still x-ray images are taken. The IV contrast material is then injected, usually in a vein in the patient's arm, followed by additional still images. As the contrast material is processed by the kidneys a series of images is taken to determine the actual size of the kidneys and to capture the urinary tract in action as it begins to empty.

The prep for this exam is: take two (2) ounces of castor oil after the noon meal (day before the examination) or no later than 5:00 pm. Eat no supper except dry toast, jelly and beverage. No milk, cream, butter or fatty foods is to be included. Do not eat anything after supper (no breakfast). Do not drink anything after 8:00pm (day before the examination). After midnight, do not smoke, chew gum or use toothpaste.

The exam lasts approximately 1 hour.

VCUG

The technologist begins by positioning the patient on the table. Several x-rays are taken of the bladder. Then, after cleaning the genital area, a catheter is inserted through the urethra, a tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, into the bladder, which is filled with a water-soluble contrast material. The catheter is then withdrawn.

The radiologist and/or the technologist will watch the fluoroscopic monitor while the bladder is filling to see if any of the liquid goes backward into one or both ureters. Several x-ray images of the bladder and urethra are then taken as the patient empties his or her bladder.

There is no prep for this exam.

The exam lasts approximately 45 minutes.