What is a small bowel follow-through?
A small bowel follow-through is an X-ray examination of the small bowel (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). What to expect at the time of your examination The technologist will ask you to briefly explain the problem you’ve been having. You will then be instructed to change into a gown and remove everything except your undergarment. For a Small Bowel Follow-Through, a preliminary radiograph of the abdomen will be obtained to ensure that your stomach and small bowel is empty. For all three exams you will be given 2 bottles (approximately 12 oz.) of a premixed commercially prepared barium sulfate suspension that contains barium sulfate, water, and natural and artificial flavors. For the Small Bowel Follow-Through study, the radiograph will be obtained in approximately 15-minute intervals until the entire small bowel is filled with the barium sulfate suspension. This process differs with each individual and may last as little as 15 minutes and as long as a few hours. Once the barium sulfate su
