What is Barium?
A chalky-flavored liquid that is swallowed by the patient so that various parts of the digestive tract will be “outlined” on the X-ray. It is often used in the study of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Additionally, barium may be introduced via an enema, as is often used in the study of the large bowel. Barium is an inert solution that passes through the body, not absorbed.
Barium is an iodinated (iodine containing) contrast agent that is orally ingested to coat the intestinal tract. Thereafter, sequential x-ray images can be taken of the upper, middle, or lower intestines to evaluate for ulcers, tumors, inflammation, and other abnormalities. What is an Upper Gastrointestinal Series? An Upper Gastrointestinal Series involves taking x-rays of the esophagus, stomach and/or small intestines after ingestion of barium liquid. An Upper GI Series can detect disorders such as ulcers and certain cancers. What is a Small Bowel Series? The Small Bowel Series is an x-ray examination that uses a barium sulfate contrast media to visualize the small intestines. This exam can follow an Upper GI Series and usually lasts 1 – 3 hours. This exam can last longer depending on how quickly the contrast moves through the intestines. What is a barium enema? A barium enema is an x-ray examination of the colon after barium liquid is introduced to allow better visualization. A barium
Barium is a chemical element classified among the alkaline earth metals. It has a number of uses, from fireworks to medicine, usually in the form of barium compounds such as barium sulfate. Many of these forms of toxic, leading workers who interact with barium to use extreme care when they handle this element. Consumers are probably most familiar with barium in the form of barium sulfate, used in liquid suspensions for x-ray diagnostics. In nature, barium is not found in a pure state because it interacts readily with air. When isolated, the element takes the form of a soft silvery white metal, although it will quickly oxidize when exposed to air. In the Earth’s crust, barium is about the 18th element in order of abundance, and it is found in a number of naturally occurring compounds. On the periodic table of elements, barium is identified with the symbol Ba, and it has an atomic number of 56. The existence of this reactive metal was known for at least a century before Sir Humphrey Davy
