Information Regarding Procedure:
• During this procedure we will be looking at your large bowel. To do that, a tube will be inserted into your rectum and a balloon will be inflated at the end of the tube to help keep it in place.
• Through the tube the Radiologist will run Barium into your bowel.
• He will also be putting air into your bowel, which may cause some cramping.
• After the Barium and the air have been put into your bowel the Radiologist will take a series of x-rays.
• When he is finished taking all of his x-rays, he will leave the room and the x-ray technologist will take another series of x-rays.
• Once the technologist has checked to make sure that all the x-rays have turned out, then he/she will take the tube out and take you to the washroom.
• From start to finish the procedure takes between 20-30 minutes, unless the colon is not cleaned out properly. Thus, this may result in having to be sent to the emergency department for a cleansing enema before the procedure.
• If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call your doctor.
The accuracy of the study of the colon by the Barium enema depends to a large degree on the care that is taken in preparing the colon for examination. The colon can be made free from fecal content by a combination of 4 procedures.
1. Select a low residue diet for several days.
2. By hydration and lavation from drinking large amounts of fluid.
3. By cathartics.
4. By cleansing enemas.
Preparation:
In an effort to improve the quality of the Barium enema examination and also to reduce the number of patients who must be prepared, the following colon cleansing protocol is recommended:
1. Before the colon examination a minimal residue diet for 3 days is preferable. If not possible, start as soon as the colon study is scheduled. The following foods are permitted:
• Strained fruit juices such as orange, apple, grapefruit, grape
• Cereal such as cream of wheat, farina or Rice Krispies
• Eggs, any style
• Dry cottage cheese (not creamed)
• Meat, such as canned baby food meats, baked skinless fish, finely chopped canned tuna
• Macaroni, spaghetti, noodles or rice in clear broth or buttered if desired
• One to two tbsp. of oil, butter or margarine may be used daily if desired
• Sweets such as plain gelatin (Jello) desserts without added fruit or vegetables, moderate amount of sugar or strained honey, marshmallows, Arrowroot or vanilla wafers or sugar wafers
• Moderate amounts of seasonings
• Beverages such as clear broth or bouillon, tea, weak coffee or Sanka, carbonated beverages (cola drinks, 7-up), Gatorade, Kool-aid or other synthetic drink mixes
• NO bread, fruit, vegetables or milk
2. The day before the examination drink fluids: at least one large 8 ounce glass of water each hour from 11:00am to 8:00 or 10:00pm. For all meals, a clear liquid diet starting with breakfast. The following foods are permitted:
• Synthetic juices, (Kool-aid, Gatorade, carbonated beverages, weak coffee or Sanka, tea with sugar)
• Clear broth
• Gelatin desserts (Jello without added fruits or vegetables)
• Moderate amount of sugar
• Hard candies – lemon drop style
3. The laxative (PICOLAX) provided are to be taken as follows:
Adults: The contents of one sachet are dissolved in a cup of cold water; stir for 2-3 minutes. If it becomes hot, wait for it to cool.
• The first dose (1 sachet) is taken at 8:00am on the day prior to the exam.
• The 2nd sachet is taken between 2-4pm on the day prior to the exam.
*Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.