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STOMACH X-RAY

GENERAL INFORMATION

X-rays of the stomach usually are taken when there isreason to suspect something is wrong with the stomach.Among these reasons are the following: Pain in the upper part of the abdomen that appears

to be caused by an ulcer.

Blood in the stool that is found either by the patientor by the doctor during a routine physicalexamination.

Feeling full after even a small meal. The stomach feels full for a long time after a meal as

though the stomach is not emptying properly. Loss of appetite. Loss of weight. Frequent belching or even vomiting, especially after

eating. Something is known to be wrong with the stomach

and is being treated; the x-rays are done to check onthe patients progress.

HOW AN X-RAY OF THE STOMACH WORKSIf you were to have an x-ray of your abdomen rightnowjust as you arethe x-rays would pass rightthrough all the soft tissue and the x-ray picture wouldbe very dark. You would not be able to see any of thestomach. Barium, however, shows up on the x-rays. Ifbarium is placed in the stomach, it will show the outlineof the stomach that will make it possible to see thefollowing: If there is an ulcer (a crater), this will fill with

barium and will show up as a white area. If there is a growth on the wall of the stomach, the

barium wont be able to fill this spot, and it willappear as a black area (Fig. 1).

PREPARATION FOR STOMACH X-RAY

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight beforethe day of the examination. On the morning of theexamination, do not drink any fluid (or even chewgum). Swallowing creates a lot of saliva, which sticksto the lining of your stomach and interferes with howwell the barium can show fine details in the stomach.

THE PROCEDURE

A

B C

Esophagus

Diaphragm

Polyp

Ulcer

STOMACH

Cancer

Air in stomach

A

BC

Duodenum

Figure 1. A, A stomach with a polyp (B) and a cancer (C) You will be asked to remove your outer clothing andshown inside it and an ulcer (A) shown in the duodenum. B,will be given a long gown to wear.The appearance of the stomach on an ordinary x-ray. C, The ap-

You will lie on an x-ray table. The x-ray films arepearance of the stomach, the duodenum, and the three lesions

located inside the table, just under your abdomen. (AC) as seen on x-ray after barium is swallowed.The x-ray machine is right over your stomach. The table will be shifted to the upright position with

of barium in it. The radiologist will be looking atyou on it. You will be in a standing position.where the barium goes and where it cannot go. Youll be given a large glass of barium (it has the

Sometimes during the examination you will be askedcolor and consistency of buttermilk) and asked toto swallow a fizzy drink. It produces gas thattake a number of swallows.stretches the stomach, making it easier to see details. X-rays will be taken of the barium as it travels down

The table will be adjusted so that it is flat. Youll beyour esophagus and into the stomach.lying on your back. Next, you will be asked to drink the rest of the glass

of barium. Your stomach now will have a fair amount The radiologist will press down on your stomach to

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help the barium get into all the nooks and crannies The examination is now over and you will be free togo about your business.so that all areas inside the stomach can be examined.

You will be asked to turn from side to side and even You are encouraged to drink a lot of fluids andpossibly take a mild laxative.onto your stomach. This helps the barium reach all

parts of your stomach so that no area is missed. The barium will color your stools slightly white forthe next day or two. During this time, the table and the x-ray machine

over you will sometimes move in several directions. The x-rays that were taken will all be assembled andexamined by the radiologist. The findings will be re- Next, the radiologist will watch the barium as it

leaves the stomach to enter the duodenum. This is ported to your personal physician.the area where most ulcers occur, so the duodenumwill be examined with special care.

Copyright 1999 by WB Saunders Company. All rights reserved.578 STOMACH X-RAY