Fluoroscopy
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Fluoroscopy is an X-ray procedure that allows radiologists to view internal organs in motion. The video images from this special X-ray are transmitted to a TV camera which can then show the images on a video monitor.
HAVING A BARIUM ENEMA
A barium enema, sometimes called a B.E., is a way your doctor can learn
more about your large intestine (colon). It involves a series of x-ray pictures
taken while your large intestine is being filled with a special white liquid
called barium.
GETTING READY FOR THE TEST
You will have to follow a special patient prep listed on the last page
of this
pamphlet. It is very important that you follow it closely.
When you arrive at the radiology department, one of the radiographers (the
person who will be taking your x-ray) will explain to you and your parents
how the exam will be done. You will then be taken into a special room
where you will see a large x-ray camera over a special table and a t.v.
set.
You will then be asked to change into a gown so that things such as buttons
and zippers do not show up on your x-ray pictures.
THE TEST
The radiographer will help you lie on the table and will move the camera so that it is over your body. The camera will not hurt or touch you. Then, the radiographer will ask you to be very still while he or she goes to another part of the room to take your picture. You will hear a buzz when the picture is taken.
After the picture is taken, a special tube will need to be placed into your bottom (rectum). This tube will allow the thick, white liquid, called barium, to flow into your large intestine during the test (see picture opposite page). Once the tube is inserted, it will be taped to your bottom to help you hold it in place during the test. The tube will be connected to a bag filled with barium. After a short wait, the lights will be turned down low and the t.v. set will come on. The radiologist (a special x-ray doctor) will enter the room, move the camera so that it is over your body, and will begin your test. The radiologist will be able to see your colon fill with barium on the t.v. screen. As the barium begins to flow, you may feel like you need to go to the bathroom.During this time, it may help to take slow, deep breaths. Your radiographer will help you through this.
The radiologist will have you turn from side to side during the test. He or she may also press on your stomach with a big glove to move the barium around. When the doctor wants to take a picture, you will be asked to hold your breath and lie very still. The camera will make a clicking noise when the picture is taken. Once your colon is filled with the barium, the radiographer will take a few more pictures. Next, the tube will be removed, and you will be allowed to go to the bathroom. When you feel like you have gotten rid of most of the barium in your colon, one more picture will be taken. The entire test will take thirty minutes to an hour.
AFTER THE TEST
The radiologist will look at your pictures and tell your doctor the things he or she needs to know about your body. When everything is finished, you will be released.
After the test is over, there may still be barium present in your colon.
Therefore, it is important you drink plenty of liquids (water, juices) for
the
next few days to avoid constipation.
BARIUM ENEMA PATIENT PREP
Indications such as: intussusception, chronic constipations (r/o
Hirschprung’s), and acute appendicitis have no special prep.
Other indications for a barium enema:
A. 0-2 years:
1. Nothing by mouth for 3 hours prior to exam.
2. No solid foods on the day of the exam.
B. 2-16 years
1. Light low residue supper.
2. No solid foods on the day of the exam.
3. NPO (nothing by mouth) 4 hours prior to exam.
4. One half Ducolax suppository the evening prior to exam and another one half Ducolax suppository 4 hours prior to exam. If the results are poor, give a normal saline enema in the early morning of the exam.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the test, please ask your radiographer
or
doctor for the answers.
THE THREE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR A BARIUM ENEMA:
1. How long will the exam take?
The exam will generally take several minutes to an hour. In some cases,
it
may take longer.
2. When will I know the results of the exam?
The radiologist will let your doctor know the results of your child’s
exam.
Your doctor will then discuss the results of the exam with you.
3. Will it hurt when the enema tip (tube) is inserted?
It will feel a little uncomfortable when the tube is being inserted. Taking
in a deep breath while it is being done will help it slide in easier.
HAVING AN UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TEST
An upper gastrointestinal test, usually called an upper g.i., is a
series of x-ray pictures taken while your stomach is filled will
barium. Barium is a thick, white liquid that makes the stomach
show up on the x-ray picture.
GETTING READY FOR THE TEST
For about four to six hours before the test, you will not be able to eat or drink, so that your stomach will be empty before the test begins. After the test is over, you will be able to eat and drink again.
When you arrive at the radiology department, one of the radiographers (the person who will be taking your x-ray) will explain to you and your parents/guardians how the exam will be done. You will then be taken into a special room where you will see a large x-ray camera over a special table and a t.v. set. You will then be asked to change into a gown so that things such as buttons and zippers do not show up on your x-ray pictures.
THE TEST
The radiographer will help you lie on the table and will move the camera so that it is over your body. The camera will not hurt or touch you. Then, the radiographer will ask you to be very still while he or she goes to another part of the room to take your picture. You will hear a buzz when the picture is taken. You will be required to drink one or two cups of barium during the test. It is very important that you drink the barium even if you don’t like the way it tastes or smells. It is important for you to drink all that you are given.
After a short wait, the lights will be turned down low and the t.v. set
will come on. The radiologist (a special x-ray doctor) will enter the room
and have you drink the barium to begin the test. He or she may have you
turn from one side to another. The doctor may also press on your stomach
with a big glove to move the barium around. When the doctor wants to take
a picture, you will be asked to hold your breath and lie very still. The
camera
will make a clicking noise when the picture is taken. If you begin to feel
uncomfortable from swallowing the barium, it may help you to lie still and
take deep breaths. The radiographer will help you through this. The entire
test will take thirty to forty minutes.
AFTER THE TEST
The radiologist will look at your pictures and tell your doctor the
things he or she needs to know about your body. When everything is finished,
you will be released.
For the next few days your stools (bowel movements) may be a
different color until the barium passes all the way through your
body. It is very important that you drink plenty of liquids (water,
juices) throughout the next few days so that you can avoid
constipation.
U.G.I. PATIENT PREP
1. 0-2 years:
a. No solid foods after midnight.
b. Nothing by mouth for 3 hours prior to exam.
2. 2-16 years:
a. No solid foods after midnight (small amounts of water may be taken).
b. No food or liquids or water for 4 hours prior to exam.
c. No chewing gum on the day of the exam.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the test, please ask your radiographer
or
doctor for the answers.
THE THREE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR AN U.G.I.:
1. How long will the exam take?
The exam will generally take several to forty-five minutes. In some cases,
it
may take longer
2. When will I know the results of the exam?
The radiologist will let your doctor know the results of your child’s
exam.
Your doctor will then discuss the results of the exam with you.
3. How soon after the exam can I feed my child/infant?
Your child may eat and drink after the test is over. However, they may not
accept their normal feeding amount since barium is still present in the
stomach.
HAVING A VOIDING CYSTOURETHRAGRAM
A voiding cystourethragram, usually called a VCUG, is a series of pictures
taken to examine the bladder and urethra. The bladder is a small, saclike
structure that holds urine (tee-tee) until you are ready to go to the bathroom.
The urethra is a small strawlike part of your body that is connected to
the
bladder and allows your urine (tee-tee) to come out when you go to the
bathroom. Both the bladder and urethra are part of the urinary system which
is responsible for getting rid of wastes and excess water from the body.
A colorless liquid (x-ray dye) will be used to fill the bladder through
a catheter
while the x-ray pictures are being taken. This x-ray dye will help the bladder
and urethra show up on the x-ray picture.
GETTING READY FOR THE TEST
You will not have to do anything special to prepare for the test. When
you
arrive at the radiology department, one of the radiographers (the person
who will be taking your x-ray pictures) will explain to you and your parents
how the exam will be done. Then he or she will take you into a special room
where you will see a large x-ray camera over a special table and a t.v.
set.
You will be asked to change into a gown so that things such as buttons and
zippers do not show up on your x-ray pictures.
THE TEST
The radiographer will help you lie on the table and a nurse will enter
the
room. The nurse will have to place a special tube called a catheter into
the
area where you tee-tee so that the x-ray dye will flow into your bladder
while your pictures are being taken. The nurse will give you a step-by-step
explanation of the procedure as he or she places the catheter into your
bladder. It is very important for you to cooperate!
Before the nurse can place the catheter into your bladder, he or she will have to clean the area where you urinate (tee-tee). First of all, he or she will put on some sterile gloves, to keep everything clean. Next, the nurse will clean the area where you urinate with cotton balls and a special brown soap. It is very important for you not to touch that area once it has been cleaned. The nurse will then put some special jelly on the catheter to make it slippery.
Then he or she will gently slide it into your bladder. Taking in a deep
breathe will help you through this portion of the procedure. The catheter
will then be attached to another tube coming from a bottle filled with x-ray
dye. Next, the radiographer will move the camera so that it is over your
body. The camera will not hurt or touch you. The radiographer will then
ask you to hold very still while he or she goes to another part of the room
to take your picture. You will hear a buzz when your picture is taken.
After a short wait, the radiologist (a special x-ray doctor) will enter
the room
and begin your test. The x-ray dye will begin to fill your bladder. It will
look like a black balloon as it gets bigger and bigger! Ask your radiographer
to show you! Soon your bladder will get very full and your will feel
like you need to urinate (tee-tee). Next, the radiologist will tell you
to turn on your side and tee-tee the little catheter out of your bladder.
You will have to urinate (tee-tee) on the table so that doctor can take
pictures of your bladder as you tee-tee. It is very important for you to
tee-tee on the table. Some special towels will be put all around you to
catch the tee-tee. When the doctor takes your picture, you will hear a clicking
nouise. He or she will take several pictures. Here’s a helpful hint:
the faster you urinate (tee-tee) on the table, the faster your exam will
be over. The whole procedure will take about thirty minutes to an hour.
AFTER THE TEST
The radiologist will look at your pictures and tell your doctor the things he or she needs to know about your body. When everything is finished, you will be released!
After the test, you may feel like you need to urinate (tee-tee) often.
Also, on
a few occasions, due to catheterization, you may notice a little blood in
your
urine. If the bleeding continues over a 24-hour period, call your doctor.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the test, please ask your radiographer
or
doctor for the answers.
THE THREE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR A VOIDING CYSTOURETHRAGRAM:
1. How long will the exam take?
The exam will generally take several minutes to an hour.
2. When will I know the results of the exam?
The radiologist will let your doctor know the results of your child’s
exam.
Your doctor will then discuss the results of the exam with you.
3. Will the catheterization part of the exam hurt?
It may feel a little uncomfortable. Taking a deep breathe while it is being
done will help.
Contact Information
Driscoll Children's Hospital Radiology
3533 South Alameda Street
Corpus Christi, Texas 78411
1-800-DCH-LOVE
(361) 694-5240
To schedule an exam (361) 694-6132
Statement of Compliance
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Corpus Christi, Texas
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