Barium Enema
Definition
A barium enema, also known as a lower GI (gastrointestinal) exam, is a test that uses x-ray examination to view the large intestine. There are two types of tests: the single-contrast technique, where barium sulfate is injected into the rectum to gain a profile view of the large intestine, and the double-contrast (or "air contrast") technique, where air and barium are inserted into the rectum.
Purpose
A barium enema may be performed for a variety of reasons. One reason may be to help in the diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer (or colorectal cancer), and inflammatory disease. Detection of polyps (benign growths in the tissue lining the colon and rectum), diverticula (pouches pushing out from the colon), and structural changes in the large intestine can also be confirmed by the...
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