What is the enema with a double contrast barium?

Double -contrasting Barium is a imaging technique that allows doctors to use X -ray scan to evaluate the colon for signs of disease. Symptoms such as change in intestinal habits or unusual stools may lead to a doctor to allow this test to distinguish between several conditions. Avoiding an invasive procedure, such as surgery, is an important advantage of using a double -contrast barium, but the test becomes less common due to its restrictions. This technique requires several days of preparation to empty the colon to get the brightest picture.

The double contrast enema is a two -stage process in which the first step is to flood the large intestine with a solution containing the sulphate through the tube inserted into the rectum. The barium is held on the surface of the large intestine wall and the excess can drain from the large intestine. The second step is to slowly pump air into the large intestine. Barium acts as a contrasting agent because it blocks RenTgen rays and allows the large intestine to be seen separately from the surrounding soft tissues. The air provides a second contrast between the wall of the colon and the interior or lumen.

Unusual periods of diarrhea or constipation, blood, pus or mucus in stool or abdominal pain are symptoms that may indicate the need for this test. The X -ray rays of the large intestine created with a double contrast enema Barium look for ulcers, inflammation and colorectal cancer. They can also detect benign polyps and diverticulum, ie pockets in the intestinal wall.

This X -ray technique allows the doctor to get a general picture of the health of the colon and at the same time relatively non -invasive. Although for most people, double contrast enema is considered to be sufficiently safe to be used routinely, it is not recommended in patients with some conditions such as ulcerative colitis or perforated intestine.Further restrictions on the IS that, unlike the colonoscopic procedure, the doctor cannot remove polyps or cancer growth or repair the diverticulum during this test. The associated risks are very rare, but include perforation, water intoxication and allergic reactions.

For one to three days before performing a double contrast enema, the patient will be asked to consume only clear fluids. The day before the procedure, a strong laxative can be provided or the patient may be asked to separate the standard enema at home. This preparation should remove as many faecal materials as possible so that the stools do not confuse with polyps.