Radiology procedure (Barium swellow )

                      (BARIUM SWALLOW)

A Barium Swallow (also called an esophagram) is a radiology procedure used to examine the structure and function of the pharynx and esophagus using barium sulfate as a contrast medium.

1. Indication

Barium swallow is indicated to evaluate:

  • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  • Odynophagia (painful swallowing)
  • Esophageal reflux or GERD
  • Suspected esophageal stricture or tumor
  • Zenker’s diverticulum
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Esophageal motility disorders (e.g., achalasia)
  • Foreign body ingestion

2. Contraindications

  • Suspected perforation of GI tract (use water-soluble contrast like Gastrografin instead)
  • Unconscious/uncooperative patients (risk of aspiration)
  • Known or suspected tracheoesophageal fistula
  • Severe swallowing difficulty with high aspiration risk

3. Contrast Used

  • Barium sulfate suspension (not absorbed by the body)
  • Sometimes effervescent granules are added to produce gas for better mucosal visualization
  • If perforation is suspected: Gastrografin (water-soluble iodinated contrast)

4. Method

  1. Patient is NPO (nothing by mouth) for 6–8 hours before the test.
  2. Patient drinks barium while fluoroscopy captures real-time x-ray images.
  3. Multiple views (AP, lateral, oblique) are taken.
  4. Images of swallowing process are captured to detect motility issues or anatomical abnormalities.

5. Aftercare

  • Encourage oral fluid intake to help clear barium from the intestines.
  • Expect white or light-colored stools for 1–3 days.
  • Monitor for constipation or barium impaction, especially in elderly or immobile patients.
  • Seek help if severe abdominal pain or no bowel movement in 2+ days.

6. Diseases Diagnosed (with example images)

Below are common conditions diagnosed with a barium swallow, along with representative descriptions of images (I can provide actual images if you want):

Disease Imaging Features
Achalasia "Bird beak" tapering of distal esophagus
Esophageal stricture Narrowed segment of esophagus
Zenker’s diverticulum Outpouching at pharyngoesophageal junction
Esophageal carcinoma Irregular narrowing, “apple-core” lesion
Hiatal hernia Stomach herniating above diaphragm
GERD Reflux of barium into esophagus.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Final Diagnosis -Insta and FB post

Image
                      Final Diagnosis : Achalasia with Megaesophagus (Advanced Stage). 🔍 Radiologic Evidence: 🩻 Chest X-ray (Image 3) : Shows a widened mediastinum with a long, tubular opacity . Evidence of air-fluid level and mottled density , suggestive of retained food/debris in a dilated esophagus. Esophagus appears greatly dilated , deviating slightly to the left — classic for chronic achalasia . 📸 CT Scan (Images 1 & 2 – Coronal and Sagittal) : Demonstrates a massively dilated esophagus filled with fluid, food debris, and gas . No discrete mass or stricture is visible, helping rule out malignancy (pseudoachalasia) . The esophagus extends well below the carina, almost to the gastroesophageal junction, with a characteristic tapered narrowing at the LES ("bird beak" sign may be inferred on barium). 🧠 Clinical Correlation: 10-year history of progressive dysphagia to both solids and liquids. Worsen...
Read more

FINAL DIAGNOSE CASE-9

Image
  FINAL DIAGNOSE CASE-9 (FB & INSTA) The X-ray image you provided shows a classic "coffee bean sign" in the left side of the abdomen, indicated by the red arrows. This radiological sign is highly suggestive of: Diagnosis: Sigmoid Volvulus Explanation: The coffee bean sign represents a massively dilated loop of sigmoid colon that has twisted on its mesentery, creating the shape of a coffee bean. The central cleft of the "bean" points towards the site of the torsion. The gas-filled, dilated colon displaces surrounding structures. Key Features on the X-ray: The dilated loop of bowel with a central longitudinal cleft. The apex of the loop typically points to the right upper quadrant (but in this case, it appears left-dominant). Absence of gas in the rectum. Possible "kidney-shaped" appearance of the loop. Next Steps: Confirm with CT abdomen (may show “whirl sign”). Endoscopy.         NOTE- THIS IMAGE GENERATED BY META AI.. SO FINDI...
Read more

FINAL DIAGNOSE CASE -.....

Image
  FINAL DIAGNOSE- CASE NO. (FB AND INSTA )                          (Myelitis Ossificans ) This lateral elbow X-ray shows a well-defined, rounded, calcified mass in the soft tissue anterior to the distal humerus and not attached to the bone. The characteristic zonal pattern of ossification —with a more radiolucent center and denser peripheral ossification—supports the diagnosis of:    Myositis Ossificans ✅ Key Radiological Features: Location : Soft tissue ( commonly post-traumatic ), not arising from bone. Zonal ossification : Peripheral mature bone with central lucency. Well-circumscribed lesion . No cortical destruction or periosteal reaction , helping to differentiate it from aggressive neoplasms like osteosarcoma. 🧠 Important Differentials: Osteosarcoma : Irregular margins, bone destruction, and central ossification (opposite of MO). Soft tissue sarcoma with calcification : Less organized...
Read more