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WHAT
IS A BARIUM ENEMA - REGULAR OR WITH AIR?
ALSO
CALLED A LOWER GI SERIES, THIS RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION
IS USED TO EXAMINE THE COLON AND RECTUM. IN ORDER FOR
THIS ANATOMY TO SHOW UP ON RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGES, IT MUST
BE FILLED WITH A CONTRAST MATERIAL CALLED BARIUM. THE
BARIUM IS INTRODUCED INTO THE COLON THROUGH A TUBE THAT
IS GENTLY INSERTED INTO YOUR RECTUM.
REASONS
FOR THE EXAMINATION?
- ABDOMINAL
PAIN
- BLOOD IN THE STOOL (INDICATING INTERNAL BLEEDING)
- DIARRHEA
- CONSTIPATION
- IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
- UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS
- CHANGE IN BOWEL HABITS
- DETECT ABNORMALITIES SUCH AS:
- POLYPS
- CANCER
- INFLAMMATORY
BOWEL DISEASE
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THIS TEST?
STARTING
THE MORNING BEFORE YOUR EXAM, YOU WILL BE ASKED NOT
TO EAT SOLIDS, AND TO DRINK ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. YOU
WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A FLEET PREP #3 KIT
FROM YOUR LOCAL DRUGSTORE AND FOLLOW THE 24 HOUR PREPARATION.
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING THE MORNING OF YOUR EXAM.
WHAT WILL THE EXAM BE LIKE?
YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CHANGE INTO A GOWN THAT HAS NO
METAL FASTENERS THAT COULD SHOW UP ON THE RADIOGRAPHIC
IMAGES. A PRELIMINARY FILM IS TAKEN TO CHECK FOR ADEQUACY
OF THE BOWEL PREPARATION. IF THE BOWEL PREPARATION DID
NOT WORK COMPLETELY, THEN YOU WILL BE RE-SCHEDULED FOR
ANOTHER TIME AND THE 24 HOUR PREPARATION REPEATED. AFTER
THE INSERTION OF THE TUBE, THE RADIOLOGIST WILL START
THE FLOW OF BARIUM INTO THE RECTUM AND COLON. TO HELP
THE BARIUM THOROUGHLY COAT THE LINING OF THE COLON, AIR
MAY ALSO BE INJECTED THROUGH THE TUBE.
AS
THE BARIUM FILLS YOUR COLON, YOU WILL FEEL THE NEED
TO MOVE YOUR BOWEL. YOU MAY FEEL ABDOMINAL PRESSURE,
OR EVEN MINOR CRAMPING. THESE ARE COMMON SENSATIONS,
AND
MOST PEOPLE TOLERATE THE MILD DISCOMFORT EASILY.
DURING THE IMAGING PROCESS, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO
TURN FROM SIDE
TO SIDE, AND TO HOLD SEVERAL DIFFERENT POSITIONS.
WITH AIR CONTRAST STUDIES OF THE BOWEL, THE TABLE
WILL BE
POSITIONED UPRIGHT FOR SOME IMAGES.
AFTER THE RADIOLOGIST FINISHES TAKING HIS RADIOGRAPHIC
IMAGES WITH FLUOROSCOPY (X-RAYS THAT CAPTURE A MOVING
IMAGE OF AN ORGAN WHILE IT IS FUNCTIONING), THE TECHNOLOGIST
WILL THEN TAKE LARGER STILL RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGES.
ONCE THE X-RAY IMAGES ARE COMPLETED, MOST OF THE BARIUM
IS DRAWN BACK INTO A BAG, AND THE PATIENT IS DIRECTED
TO THE BATHROOM TO EXPEL THE REMAINING BARIUM AND AIR.
IN MOST CASES, THE TECHNOLOGIST MAY THEN TAKE ADDITIONAL
IMAGES TO HELP THE DOCTOR SEE HOW WELL THE COLON HAS
CLEARED.
YOU WILL BE ASKED TO WAIT UNTIL THE RADIOLOGIST CAN
EXAMINE THE IMAGES TO BE SURE THEY CONTAIN THE NECESSARY
INFORMATION. IF THE X-RAYS ARE ACCEPTABLE, YOU CAN DRESS
AND LEAVE. OCCASIONALLY, REPEAT IMAGING MAY BE NECESSARY.
AFTER THE EXAMINATION
YOU
CAN RESUME A REGULAR DIET AND ACTIVITIES IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THIS EXAMINATION UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISE BY YOUR
PHYSICIAN. THE BARIUM MAY COLOR STOOLS GRAY OR WHITE
FOR 48-72 HOURS AFTER THE PROCEDURE, THEREFORE, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO DRINK EXTRA FLUIDS FOR THE NEXT 4 TO 5
DAYS AFTER THIS PROCEDURE TO AVOID CONSTIPATION. A LAXATIVE
MAY BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST YOU IN THE ELIMINATION OF
THE BARIUM. THIS COMPOUND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN
IN THE COLON TOO LONG.
HOW WILL I RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF MY TEST?
THE RADIOLOGIST WILL INTERPRET THE X-RAY IMAGES AND FORWARD
A REPORT TO YOUR REFERRING PHYSICIAN. YOU WILL THEN
MOST LIKELY MEET WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN TO LEARN OF THE
RESULTS OF THE PROCEDURE. DEPENDING ON THE INTERPRETATION,
YOU AND YOUR PHYSICIAN WILL DETERMINE THE NEXT COURSE
OF ACTION, SUCH AS TREATMENT FOR AN ABNORMALITY, IF
NECESSARY.
WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT?
INSURANCE: RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS WILL FILE ALL INSURANCE
AS A COURTESY TO YOU. WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH SEVERAL
INSURANCE COMPANIES. DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT,
YOU MAY OWE A CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE AT THE TIME
OF SERVICE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT CONTRACT
WITH RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, WE WILL FILE WITH YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY AND YOU WILL BE BILLED FOR THE CO-PAYMENT
AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE. IF YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND OR MAKE A PAYMENT WITHIN 30
DAYS, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE. (NOTE:
SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT CONTRACT WITH ANY PROVIDERS
IN THE AREA). PLEASE CONTACT OUR BUSINESS OFFICE FOR
ANY QUESTIONS AT 227-5130.
PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR EXAMINATION.
SELF
PAY: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF TOTAL CHARGE
AT THE TIME OF SERVICE.
WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.
PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN OR X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST IF
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY YOU ARE PREGNANT. RADIATION IS
HARMFUL TO A DEVELOPING BABY AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.
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WHAT IS A HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM?
(HSG)
IS A PROCEDURE USED TO EVALUATE THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
TRACT, SPECIFICALLY THE ENDOMETRIAL CANAL (INTERIOR
OF THE UTERUS) AND FALLOPIAN TUBES. IT IS PRIMARILY
USED TO EVALUATE PATIENTS WITH INFERTILITY, PARTICULARLY
IN THOSE PATENTS WITH PREVIOUS HISTORY OF ABDOMINAL
SURGERY, KNOWN EPISODES OF PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE,
PRIOR ECTOPIC (TUBAL) PREGNANCIES AND DIAGNOSED ENDOMETRIOSIS.
IT IS ALSO INDICATED IN WOMEN WHO HAVE UNDERGONE REVERSAL
OF TUBAL LIGATION.
WHAT
CAN I EXPECT?
THE
PATIENT IS PLACED ON A FLUOROSCOPIC X-RAY TABLE. THE
PATIENT IS DRAPED AND A SPECULUM IS INTRODUCED BY THE
RADIOLOGIST INTO THE VAGINAL CAVITY TO VISUALIZE THE
CERVIX. THE CERVIX IS CLEANED WITH A BETADINE SOLUTION.
A THIN CATHETER, THE SIZE OF A SPAGHETTI NOODLE, IS
INSERTED THROUGH THE CERVICAL CANAL. A SMALL BALLOON
THE SIZE OF A MARBLE IS THEN INFLATED TO HOLD THE TUBE
IN PLACE.
UNDER
FLUOROSCOPIC OBSERVATION, THE RADIOLOGIST MANUALLY INJECTS
A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER SOLUBLE CONTRAST WHICH FILLS
THE ENDOMETRIAL CAVITY OF THE UTERUS AND BOTH FALLOPIAN
TUBES. THE TUBAL ANATOMY AND PATENCY CAN BE ASSESSED.
NORMALLY,
THE TUBES ARE SLENDER AND SPILL FREELY INTO THE PERITONEAL
CAVITY. IN CERTAIN DISEASED STATES, THERE MAY BE TUBAL
BLOCKAGE OR DILATATION. A NUMBER OF X-RAY SPOT IMAGES
OF THE FINDINGS ARE RECORDED BY THE RADIOLOGIST. THE
PROCEDURE IS TERMINATED UPON DEFLATION OF THE RETENTION
BALLOON AND GENTLE REMOVAL OF CATHETER AND SPECULUM.
HOW
SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE PROCEDURE?
THE PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED AFTER MENSTRUATION HAS COMPLETELY
STOPPED AND BEFORE OVULATION HAS OCCURRED. STARTING
WITH THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE AS DAY 1,
THIS PROCEDURE IS SCHEDULED ON DAY 7 TO DAY 10. NO SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE IS ALLOWED BEGINNING ON DAY 1 OF YOUR CYCLE
UNTIL EXAM IS COMPLETED.
WHAT
IF I HAVE AN ALLERGY TO IODINE?
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PHYSICAN OR RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS.
THEY CAN PRESCRIBE AN ANTIHISTAMINE AND STEROID TO TAKE
24 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM.
WHAT
HAPPENS AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
SOME
DISCOMFORT WITH A HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM MAY BE EXPERIENCED.
IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO HAVE SOME VAGINAL BLEEDING AND
CRAMPING FOLLOWING THIS PROCEDURE. YOU MAY TAKE IBUPROFEN
OR WHATEVER MEDICATION YOU USUALLY TAKE FOR MENSTRUAL
CRAMPS. THE AMOUNT OF DISCOMFORT VARIES ACCORDING TO
THE AMOUNT OF PRE-EXISTING INFLAMMATION OF THE PELVIC
ORGANS. THE CONTRAST THAT IS USED FOR THIS TEST IS QUICKLY
DISCHARGED OR ABSORBED UPON COMPLETION OF THIS PROCEDURE.
IMPORTANT:
IF YOU EXPERIENCE HEAVY VAGINAL BLEEDING ASSOCIATED
WITH FEVER, THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND YOUR REGULAR PHYSICIAN
SHOULD BE NOTIFIED.
HOW
WILL I RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF MY TEST?
A
RADIOLOGIST WILL PROVIDE YOUR PHYSICIAN WITH AN INTERPRETATION
OF THE HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM PICTURES. YOUR PHYSICIAN
CAN THEN MAKE A DIAGNOSIS AND EXPLAIN THE FINDINGS TO
YOU, IN TERMS OF YOUR HEALTH AND TREATMENT.
WHAT
ABOUT PAYMENT?
INSURANCE: RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS WILL FILE
ALL INSURANCE AS A COURTESY TO YOU. WE HAVE CONTRACTS
WITH SEVERAL INSURANCE COMPANIES. DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTUAL
AGREEMENT, YOU MAY OWE A CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE
AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES
NOT CONTRACT WITH RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, WE WILL FILE
WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND YOU WILL BE BILLED
FOR THE CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND
OR MAKE A PAYMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE BALANCE. (NOTE: SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES DO
NOT CONTRACT WITH ANY PROVIDERS IN THE AREA). PLEASE
CONTACT OUR BUSINESS OFFICE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AT 227-5130.
PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR EXAMINATION.
SELF-PAY:
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE
TIME OF SERVICE.
WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.
PLEASE
NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN OR THE X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST IF THERE
IS ANY POSSIBILITY YOU COULD BE PREGNANT. RADIATION
IS HARMFUL TO A DEVELOPING BABY AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.
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INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAM (IVP)
WHAT IS AN INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAM?
AN
IVP (INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAM) IS AN X-RAY EXAMINATION
OF THE KIDNEYS, URETERS, AND URINARY BLADDER. AN IVP
STUDY USES A CONTRAST MATERIAL TO ENHANCE THE X-RAY
IMAGES. THE CONTRAST MATERIAL IS INJECTED INTO THE PATIENT'S
SYSTEM, AND ITS PROGRESS THROUGH THE URINARY TRACT IS
THEN RECORDED ON A SERIES OF QUICKLY CAPTURED IMAGES.
THE EXAM ENABLES THE RADIOLOGIST TO REVIEW THE ANATOMY
AND THE FUNCTION OF THE KIDNEYS AND URINARY TRACT.
REASONS FOR THE EXAMINATION
-
FREQUENT URINATION
- BLOOD
IN THE URINE (HEMATURIA)
- PAIN
IN YOUR SIDE OR LOWER BACK
- DETECT
PROBLEMS WITHIN YOUR URINARY TRACT SUCH AS:
- KIDNEY
STONE
- ENLARGED PROSTATE
- INTERNAL INJURIES AFTER AN ACCIDENT OR TRAUMA
- TUMORS OF THE KIDNEY, URETERS, OR URINARY BLADDER AND
OTHER CHANGES.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE PROCEDURE?
IF YOU ARE DIABETIC, MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR IS AWARE
OF YOUR CONDITION AND THE MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE. YOU
NEED TO OBTAIN A FLEET PREP #3 KIT FROM YOUR LOCAL
DRUGSTORE 48 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM. FOLLOW THE
18-HOUR PREP INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN YOUR KIT. THIS
SHOULD
START AT 8:00 A.M. THE DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAM.
HOW DOES THE PROCEDURE WORK?
ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, YOU WILL BE
ASKED TO CHANGE INTO A GOWN THAT HAS NO METAL FASTENERS
THAT COULD SHOW UP ON THE X-RAYS. A PRELIMINARY FILM
WILL BE TAKEN OF YOUR ABDOMEN AND YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY
TAKEN BY AN X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST. YOU WILL BE POSITIONED
ON A TABLE, AND A CONTRAST MATERIAL INJECTED IN A VEIN
IN YOUR ARM.
AS THE KIDNEYS PROCESS THE
CONTRAST MATERIAL, A SERIES OF IMAGES IS CAPTURED TO
DETERMINE THE ACTUAL SIZE OF THE KIDNEYS AND TO SHOW
THE COLLECTING SYSTEM AS IT BEGINS TO EMPTY. SOME KIDNEYS
DO NOT EMPTY AT THE SAME RATE AND DELAYED FILMS FROM
THIRTY MINUTES TO THREE OR FOUR HOURS MAY BE REQUESTED.
HOWEVER, A TYPICAL IVP STUDY USUALLY TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR.
ASIDE FROM THE MINOR STING FROM THE INJECTION OF CONTRAST
MATERIAL, AN IVP CAUSES NO PAIN. WHEN THE CONTRAST MATERIAL
IS INJECTED, SOME PEOPLE REPORT FEELING A FLUSH OF HEAT
AND, SOMETIMES, A METALLIC TASTE IN THE MOUTH. THESE COMMON
SIDE EFFECTS USUALLY DISAPPEAR WITHIN A MINUTE OR TWO
AND ARE NO CAUSE FOR ALARM.
DURING
THE IMAGING PROCESS, YOU MAY BE ASKED TO TURN FROM
SIDE TO SIDE AND TO HOLD SEVERAL DIFFERENT POSITIONS.
NEAR THE END OF THE EXAM, YOU MAY BE ASKED TO EMPTY YOUR
BLADDER SO THAT AN ADDITIONAL FILM CAN BE TAKEN OF YOUR
URINARY BLADDER AS IT EMPTIES.
WHAT
IS INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
IT IS A COLORLESS LIQUID THAT IS MOSTLY WATER, BUT IT
SHOWS UP WHITE ON X-RAYS. WHEN THE X-RAY DYE IS INJECTED,
SOME PATIENTS REPORT A FLUSH FEELING, ESPECIALLY IN THE
GROIN/PELVIC AREA. THESE FEELINGS SOON DISAPPEAR IN A
MINUTE OR TWO AND ARE NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. YOU WILL GET
RID OF THE DYE BY URINATING. BE SURE AND DRINK EXTRA
FLUIDS TO HELP WITH THIS PROCESS. IT WILL NOT DISCOLOR
YOUR URINE OR CAUSE YOU ANY DISCOMFORT WHEN YOU URINATE.
THE RADIOLOGIST SHOULD KNOW IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE MYELOMA,
ANY DISORDER OF THE KIDNEYS OR IF YOU ARE TAKING GLUCOPHAGE,
GLUCOVANCE, METFORMIN, METAGLIP OR AVANDAMET.
HOW WILL I RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF MY EXAM?
A RADIOLOGIST WILL PROVIDE YOUR PHYSICIAN WITH AN INTERPRETATION
OF THE IVP PICTURES. YOUR PHYSICIAN CAN THEN MAKE A DIAGNOSIS
AND EXPLAIN THE FINDINGS TO YOU, IN TERMS OF YOUR HEALTH
AND TREATMENT.
WHAT
ABOUT PAYMENT?
INSURANCE: RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS WILL FILE ALL INSURANCE AS A
COURTESY TO YOU. WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH SEVERAL
INSURANCE COMPANIES. DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTUAL
AGREEMENT, YOU MAY OWE A CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE
AT THE TIME
OF SERVICE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT CONTRACT
WITH RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, WE WILL FILE WITH YOUR
INSURANCE COMPANY AND YOU WILL BE BILLED FOR
THE CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE.
IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND OR MAKE
A PAYMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR
THE BALANCE. (NOTE: SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT
CONTRACT WITH ANY PROVIDERS IN THE AREA). PLEASE
CONTACT OUR BUSINESS OFFICE FOR ANY QUESTIONS AT 227-5130.
PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR EXAMINATION
SELF-PAY:
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE
AT THE TIME OF SERVICE
MOTOR
VEHICLE ACCIDENT: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25%
OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. WE WILL NOT
BILL YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE BRING THE CAR INSURANCE INFORMATION WITH YOU.
WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.
PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN OR X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST IF
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY YOU ARE PREGNANT. RADIATION IS
HARMFUL FOR A DEVELOPING BABY AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.
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SMALL BOWEL FOLLOW THROUGH
WHAT IS A SMALL BOWEL FOLLOW THROUGH?
SMALL
BOWEL FOLLOW THROUGH IS A X-RAY EXAMINATION OF THE SMALL
INTESTINE. IN ORDER FOR THE ANATOMY TO SHOW UP ON RADIOGRAPHIC
IMAGES, THE SMALL BOWEL MUST BE COATED OR FILLED WITH
CONTRAST MATERIAL CALLED BARIUM, AN ELEMENT THAT APPEARS
WHITE ON X-RAYS.
REASONS FOR THE EXAMINATION
- ABDOMINAL
PAIN
- BLOOD
IN THE STOOL (INDICATING INTERNAL BLEEDING)
- DETECT
ABNORMALITIES SUCH AS:
- SMALL
BOWEL OBSTRUCTION
- INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE TEST?
YOU
ARE ASKED NOT TO EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT
THE DAY PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM. THE QUALITY OF THE X-RAYS
ARE DEGRADED IF THE STOMACH IS NOT EMPTY OF FOOD. THIS
INCLUDES MEDICATIONS TAKEN BY MOUTH, ESPECIALLY ANTACIDS.
ALSO, DO NOT EAT OR DRINK THE MORNING OF THE EXAM. NOR
SHOULD YOU CHEW GUM OR SMOKE AFTER MIDNIGHT THE DAY
PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM AS THESE ACTIVITIES CAN CAUSE STOMACH
SECRETIONS, WHICH ALSO DEGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE X-RAYS.
WHAT WILL THE EXAM BE LIKE?
A PRELIMINARY FILM WILL BE TAKEN OF YOUR ABDOMEN AND
YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY TAKEN BY A RADIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIST.
YOU WILL BE GIVEN 2 (16 OUNCE) GLASSES OF LIQUID BARIUM.
THE BARIUM HAS A CHALKY TASTE, ALTHOUGH THE TASTE CAN
BE MASKED SOMEWHAT BY ADDED FLAVORS SUCH AS STRAWBERRY
OR CHOCOLATE, AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT HAVE DIABETES.
X-RAYS WILL BE TAKEN AT 15-MINUTE INTERVALS AFTER DRINKING
THE BARIUM. THE REASON FOR THIS IS TO FOLLOW THE BARIUM
AS IT FLOWS THROUGH YOUR SMALL INTESTINE. THIS GENERALLY
TAKES 1 HOUR, BUT DEPENDS SOLELY ON HOW FAST YOUR SMALL
INTESTINE FUNCTIONS. THE TIME YOU ARE HERE DEPENDS ON
HOW FAST THE BARIUM GETS THROUGH TO YOUR COLON, THEREFORE,
YOU MAY WANT TO BRING SOMETHING WITH YOU TO KEEP YOU
OCCUPIED WHILE YOU ARE WAITING BETWEEN YOUR X-RAYS.
AFTER THE BARIUM REACHES THE AREA WHERE IT STARTS TO
FLOW INTO YOUR COLON, WHICH IS AT YOUR RIGHT LOWER SIDE,
YOU WILL BE PLACED ON THE X-RAY TABLE ON YOUR BACK AND
THE TECHNOLOGIST WILL LOOK USING FLUOROSCOPY AND TAKE
A STILL IMAGE OF THIS AREA.
ONCE
THE EXAMINATION IS COMPLETE, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO WAIT.
AT THIS TIME, THE RADIOLOGIST WILL PRELIMINARILY EXAMINE
THE IMAGES TO BE SURE THEY CONTAIN THE NECESSARY INFORMATION
FOR A CAREFUL EVALUATION LATER. IF THE X-RAYS ARE ACCEPTABLE,
YOU CAN DRESS AND LEAVE. OCCASIONALLY, REPEAT IMAGING
MAY BE NECESSARY.
AFTER THE EXAMINATION?
YOU CAN RESUME A REGULAR DIET AND ACTIVITIES IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THIS EXAMINATION UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISE BY YOUR
PHYSICIAN.
THE
BARIUM MAY COLOR YOUR STOOLS GRAY OR WHITE FOR 48-72
HOURS AFTER THE PROCEDURE, THEREFORE, IT IS IMPORTANT
TO DRINK EXTRA FLUIDS FOR THE NEXT 4 TO 5 DAYS AFTER
THIS PROCEDURE TO AVOID CONSTIPATION. A LAXATIVE MAY
BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST YOU IN THE ELIMINATION OF THE
BARIUM. THIS COMPOUND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN
IN THE COLON TOO LONG.
THE RADIOLOGIST WILL INTERPRET THE X-RAY IMAGES AND
FORWARD A REPORT TO YOUR REFERRING PHYSICIAN. YOU WILL
THEN MOST LIKELY MEET WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN TO LEARN OF
THE RESULTS OF THE PROCEDURE. DEPENDING ON THE INTERPRETATION,
YOU AND YOUR PHYSICIAN WILL DETERMINE THE NEXT COURSE
OF ACTION, SUCH AS TREATMENT FOR AN ABNORMALITY, IF NECESSARY.
WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT?
INSURANCE: RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS WILL FILE ALL INSURANCE
AS A COURTESY TO YOU. WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH SEVERAL
INSURANCE COMPANIES. DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT,
YOU MAY OWE A CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE AT THE TIME
OF SERVICE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT CONTRACT
WITH RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, WE WILL FILE WITH YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY AND YOU WILL BE BILLED FOR THE CO-PAYMENT
AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE. IF YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND OR MAKE A PAYMENT WITHIN 30
DAYS, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE. (NOTE:
SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT CONTRACT WITH ANY PROVIDERS
IN THE AREA). PLEASE CONTACT OUR BUSINESS OFFICE FOR
ANY QUESTIONS AT 227-5130.
PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR EXAMINATION.
SELF-PAY:
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE
TIME OF SERVICE.
MOTOR
VEHICLE ACCIDENT: YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. WE WILL
NOT BILL YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE BRING THE CAR INSURANCE INFORMATION WITH YOU.
WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.
PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN OR X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST IF
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY YOU ARE PREGNANT. RADIATION IS
HARMFUL TO A DEVELOPING BABY AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.
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UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT/SERIES
WHAT IS AN UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TRACT?
ALSO
CALLED AN UPPER GI SERIES OR SIMPLY AN UPPER GI, UPPER
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT RADIOGRAPHY IS A X-RAY EXAMINATION
OF THE ESOPHAGUS AND STOMACH. HOWEVER, IN ORDER FOR
THE ANATOMY TO SHOW UP ON RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGES, IT MUST
BE COATED OR FILLED WITH CONTRAST MATERIAL CALLED BARIUM,
AN ELEMENT THAT APPEARS WHITE ON X-RAYS.
REASONS FOR THE EXAMINATION?
- OBSERVE
DIGESTIVE FUNCTION
- DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING
- CHEST PAIN
- ABDOMINAL PAIN
- REFLUX (A BACKWARD FLOW OF PARTIALLY DIGESTED FOOD
AND DIGESTIVE JUICES)
- VOMITING
- SEVERE INDIGESTION
- BLOOD IN THE STOOL (INDICATING INTERNAL BLEEDING)
- DETECT ABNORMALITIES SUCH AS:
- ULCERS
- TUMORS
- INFLAMMATION OF THE ESOPHAGUS AND STOMACH
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THIS TEST?
YOU ARE ASKED NOT TO EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT
THE DAY PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM. THE QUALITY OF THE X-RAYS
ARE DEGRADED IF THE STOMACH IS NOT EMPTY OF FOOD. THIS
INCLUDES MEDICATIONS TAKEN BY MOUTH, ESPECIALLY ANTACIDS.
ALSO, DO NOT EAT OR DRINK THE MORNING OF THE EXAM. NOR
SHOULD YOU CHEW GUM OR SMOKE AFTER MIDNIGHT THE DAY PRIOR
TO YOUR EXAM AS THESE ACTIVITIES CAN CAUSE STOMACH SECRETIONS,
WHICH ALSO CAN DEGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE X-RAYS.
WHAT WILL THE EXAM BE LIKE?
A PRELIMINARY FILM WILL BE TAKEN OF YOUR ABDOMEN AND
YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY TAKEN BY A RADIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIST.
THE TECHNOLOGIST WILL POSITION YOU NEXT TO AN UPRIGHT
TABLE. THEN, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO SWALLOW BAKING SODA
CRYSTALS (SOMETIMES CALLED FIZZIES), WHICH WILL CREATE
GAS IN YOUR STOMACH AND MAKE YOU FEEL THE NEED TO BELCH.
HOWEVER, THE RADIOLOGIST WILL TELL YOU TO HOLD THE GAS
IN AS ITS PRESENCE IN THE STOMACH ENHANCES THE DETAIL
IN THE X-RAY IMAGES. THEN, YOU WILL BE GIVEN A CUP OF
LIQUID BARIUM THAT HAS A CHALKY TASTE, ALTHOUGH THE TASTE
CAN BE MASKED SOMEWHAT BY ADDED FLAVORS SUCH AS STRAWBERRY
OR CHOCOLATE, AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT A DIABETIC.
THE RADIOLOGIST WILL VIEW YOUR ESOPHAGUS AND UPPER STOMACH
ON FLUOROSCOPY, A DEVICE THAT PROJECTS RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGES
IN A MOVIE-LIKE SEQUENCE ONTO THE TV MONITOR. STILL IMAGES
ARE THEN OBTAINED. FIRST YOU WILL BE STANDING UP, THEN
LYING DOWN, AS THE RADIOLOGIST OBTAINS PICTURES OF YOUR
ESOPHAGUS AND STOMACH. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO HOLD YOUR
BREATH TO PREVENT BLURRING OF THE STILL IMAGES. ALSO,
PERIODICALLY YOU WILL BE ASKED TO MOVE INTO DIFFERENT
POSITIONS WHILE STANDING, AND TO ROLL INTO DIFFERENT
POSITIONS WHILE LYING DOWN OF THE EXAMINING TABLE. THESE
ACTIONS ASSURE THAT THE BARIUM IS COATING ALL PARTS OF
THE STOMACH. AS THE PROCEDURE CONTINUES, THE RADIOLOGIST
MAY WANT YOU TO DRINK MORE BARIUM.
ONCE THE EXAMINATION IS COMPLETE, YOU WILL BE ASKED
TO WAIT. AT THIS TIME, THE RADIOLOGIST WILL PRELIMINARILY
EXAMINE THE IMAGES TO BE SURE THEY CONTAIN THE NECESSARY
INFORMATION FOR A CAREFUL EVALUATION LATER. IF THE X-RAYS
ARE ACCEPTABLE, YOU CAN DRESS AND LEAVE. OCCASIONALLY,
REPEAT IMAGING MAY BE NECESSARY.
AFTER THE EXAMINATION?
YOU
CAN RESUME A REGULAR DIET AND ACTIVITIES IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THIS EXAMINATION UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISE BY YOUR
PHYSICIAN. THE BARIUM MAY COLOR YOUR STOOLS GRAY OR
WHITE FOR 48-72 HOURS AFTER THE PROCEDURE, THEREFORE
IT IS IMPORTANT TO DRINK EXTRA FLUIDS FOR THE NEXT 4
TO 5 DAYS AFTER THIS PROCEDURE TO AVOID CONSTIPATION.
A LAXATIVE MAY BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST YOU IN THE ELIMINATION
OF THE BARIUM. THIS COMPOUND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO
REMAIN IN THE COLON TOO LONG.
HOW WILL I RECEIVE THE RESULTS OF MY TEST?
THE RADIOLOGIST WILL INTERPRET THE X-RAY IMAGES AND
FORWARD A REPORT TO YOUR REFERRING PHYSICIAN. YOU WILL
THEN MOST LIKELY MEET WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN TO LEARN THE
RESULTS OF THE PROCEDURE. DEPENDING ON THE INTERPRETATION,
YOU AND YOUR PHYSICIAN WILL DETERMINE THE NEXT COURSE
OF ACTION, SUCH AS TREATMENT FOR AN ABNORMALITY, IF NECESSARY.
WHAT ABOUT PAYMENT?
INSURANCE: RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS WILL FILE ALL INSURANCE
AS A COURTESY TO YOU. WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH SEVERAL
INSURANCE COMPANIES. DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT,
YOU MAY OWE A CO-PAYMENT AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE AT THE TIME
OF SERVICE. IF YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY DOES NOT CONTRACT
WITH RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, WE WILL FILE WITH YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY AND YOU WILL BE BILLED FOR THE CO-PAYMENT
AND/OR DEDUCTIBLE. IF YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND OR MAKE A PAYMENT WITHIN 30
DAYS, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE. (NOTE:
SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT CONTRACT WITH ANY PROVIDERS
IN THE AREA). PLEASE CONTACT OUR BUSINESS OFFICE FOR
ANY QUESTIONS AT 227-5130.
PLEASE BRING YOUR INSURANCE CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR EXAMINATION
SELF-PAY:
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME
OF SERVICE
MOTOR
VEHICLE ACCIDENT: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. WE WILL NOT BILL YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE BRING THE CAR INSURANCE INFORMATION WITH YOU.
WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, DEBIT OR MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.
PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN OR X-RAY TECHNOLOGIST IF
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY YOU ARE PREGNANT. RADIATION IS
HARMFUL TO A DEVELOPING BABY AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.
Free Parking With A Stamped Ticket
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