The oesophagus, stomach or intestine is filled with barium or gastrografin.
The contrast agent ensures the organ is clearly visible on the X-ray.
Specific preparation is sometimes necessary, depending on the area of the body to be examined.
Oesophagus/swallowing function: no preparation
Stomach or thin intestine: complete fasting (do not drink, eat or smoke for 6 hours before the examination)
Colon with gastrografin: no preparation
Colon with barium contrast agent (large intestine):
Low-residue diet
| Day 1: | diet* (morning, afternoon and evening) |
| Day 2: | continue diet* (morning, afternoon and evening) 4 pm: Dissolve Prepacol bottle in half a glass of water 6 pm: Take 4 Prepacol tablets with a glass of water |
Day 3: | Report to the X-ray department for examination fully fasted |
Diet*:
Allowed | Avoid |
| rusks - toast - toasted white bread - old bread | fresh and brown bread |
| jelly (juice without fruit): apples, pears, red berries, honey |
|
| tea - coffee - skimmed milk - still water | fizzy drinks |
| clear broth | soup |
| white rice - pasta: e.g. spaghetti... | potatoes wholewheat pasta |
| apple purée - cauliflower - lean meat (chicken and turkey) | all vegetables |
| fish - boiled egg low-fat cheese and yoghurt | |
| ice cream | fruit - pastry |
You will drink some liquid dye that will colour your oesophagus, stomach and small intestine. During the examination, you will be asked to change position: on your stomach, back, side. Pictures will be taken in each position.
For the colon examination, a probe is inserted in the anus. A contrast agent and air are introduced into the intestine through this probe to make the colon more visible.
The oesophagus, stomach and colon examination lasts approximately 30 minutes. The small intestine transit can take 2 to 6 hours.
After the examination, you drink a few glasses of water so that the contrast agent is easily excreted.
The specialist at the hospital will receive the result. You can go back to him/her after the examination.
If a doctor or specialist outside the Jan Yperman Hospital requested the examination, you will receive a letter with a personal PIN code and instructions.
Please contact your treating doctor for more information.
