X-ray is a painless method for examining the body using radiation. During the study, pictures are obtained by projecting the image onto a special film. To achieve a more detailed picture of some organs and blood vessels, the examination is carried out using a contrast fluid. Barium is widely used as such an X-ray liquid. It is an odorless, white, non-toxic powder used in liquid form. The drug envelops the internal walls of the intestine, which allows you to see it on x-rays. A routine examination does not give a clear image due to the fact that the intestine passes x-rays.
Types of bowel studies
Depending on which part of the organ you need to check, there are two types of studies:
- x-ray of the small intestine;
- examination of the large intestine (irrigoscopy).
In the first case, the patient should drink a liquid containing barium sulfate. In the second, the drug is injected into the rectum through the anus.
Small intestine examination
The procedure is performed to diagnose the following diseases:
- Crohn's disease;
- small bowel obstruction;
- inflammatory diseases;
- polyps;
- small bowel cancer;
- complications associated with surgery on the abdominal cavity or intestines.
As the contrast medium enters the small intestine from the stomach, the radiologist examines and takes pictures using an X-ray machine. Although the procedure can be performed by itself, it is often done after an X-ray examination of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract: the esophagus, stomach, and part of the duodenum. During the procedure, patients may be asked to reposition on the x-ray table so that all surfaces of the intestine are covered with contrast.
Irrigoscopy
X-ray examination of the large intestine is carried out when the following factors occur:
- the appearance of blood in the stool;
- chronic diarrhea or constipation;
- unexplained weight loss;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- cases of cancer or intestinal polyps in the family;
- suspected neoplasm or inflammation.
What does an intestinal x-ray with barium sulfate suggest? It could be:
- colon cancer;
- polyps (malignant or benign neoplasms);
- inflammation of the large intestine;
- diverticula (protrusion of the intestinal wall);
- Crohn's disease;
- ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease).
Preparation for x-ray examination of the intestine
Before the examination, the patient must inform the doctor about allergies, in particular, to iodine-containing drugs, as well as provide information about the medications taken. Preparation for x-ray examination is mainly to cleanse the body. The patient receives detailed instructions on how to cleanse the intestines before an x-ray. Some features are described below.
- A few days before the study, you need to follow a diet low in fiber, avoid dairy products, do not eat solid foods, use clear liquid (broth, strained juice, tea, coffee, mineral water, jelly).
- A laxative should be taken per day to cleanse the intestines before an x-ray. When irrigoscopy take special drugs, for example, Fortrans, Lavacol. The contents of the medicine bag should be diluted in water (mineral or tap) to get 1 liter of solution. Usual dosage for adults: 1 liter of solution per 15-20 kg. On average, you should drink from 3 to 4 liters.
- Do not smoke before the examination within 24 hours.
- Before the procedure, stop taking medications that slow down intestinal motility.
- 12 hours before the study, you can not eat food and drink water.
- During the study, the patient should not have any metal objects, such as jewelry or glasses.
X-ray examination
How to make an x-ray of the intestine? The steps for examining the small intestine are described below.
- Before the examination, the patient should drink a contrast fluid.
- The patient will be placed on an X-ray table, an apparatus will be installed above the abdomen. A lead shield is put on to protect other parts of the body.
- After the contrast fluid enters the small intestine, the radiologist will examine the body through a fluoroscope. The specialist is usually located in the next room.
- The patient should lie still. Also, to reduce the chance of blurry images, you will need to hold your breath for a couple of seconds.
- The duration of the procedure depends on the amount of time it takes to go through the contrast from the stomach to the intestines. The examination usually takes about one to two hours, but in some patients it can double.
- When conducting an X-ray examination of the child, one of the parents may be nearby. A lead apron is put on it to protect the body from radiation.
An x-ray of the colon has several differences, for example:
- During the examination, diluted X-ray barium is introduced into the rectum through the anus using a small soft tube.
- At the same time, air begins to be pumped through the tube. This helps to make pictures clearer.
Buscopan injections can be given to the patient to relax the muscles of the walls of the colon. Its use is contraindicated in angle-closure glaucoma, prostate hypertrophy with urinary retention, mechanical stenosis in the gastrointestinal tract, tachycardia, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness) and megacolon (malformation of the colon).
- The radiologist will see on the screen how the contrast fills the intestines. The patient may need to change the position of the body for complete distribution of barium along the walls of the colon.
- The examination takes about 15-30 minutes.
Sensations during and after x-ray
An intestinal x-ray is a painless procedure, but sometimes it causes some discomfort in patients. After taking the contrast medium, swelling and nausea may be felt orally. Also, during an x-ray of the intestine, some patients experience discomfort in the lower abdomen, bursting.
After an X-ray examination, it is recommended that you stay at home for several hours, since the contrast medium can cause diarrhea. It is also possible staining of feces in white. After an x-ray of the intestine, it is recommended to drink a large amount of liquid to cleanse the body of barium residues and to prevent constipation. It is also recommended to eat more fruits and vegetables. In cases where there is a lack of stool for about 3-4 days, you should consult your doctor.
Survey result
A radiologist can interpret what an intestinal x-ray shows. He will analyze the images and send a report to the attending physician, with whom you can discuss the results.
Benefits
X-ray of the intestine has its advantages:
- Radiography is a painless, minimally invasive procedure that rarely has complications.
- An X-ray examination can often provide enough health information to avoid more invasive procedures.
- After examination, no radiation remains in the patient's body.
- X-rays, as a rule, have no side effects.
The risks of examining the small intestine
- There is always a small chance of developing cancer from excessive exposure. However, the advantage of accurate diagnosis outweighs this risk.
- Women should always inform their doctor or x-ray lab about the likelihood that they are pregnant.
- Barium for an x-ray of the intestine can cause constipation or affect stool color when incompletely excreted.
Risks during irrigoscopy
When conducting an x-ray of the large intestine, the patient is exposed to radiation, the duration and level of which are minimized. The exposure time of the rays is about 3 minutes, and the amount is equivalent to what people would get in the natural environment for three years. In addition to the survey, there are other risks, for example:
- Perforation of the intestine. There is a small risk of intestinal perforation (the appearance of a small hole). This is a serious complication that can be fatal. Perforation is extremely rare and, as a rule, occurs only with inflammation of the colon.
- Side effects from taking Buscopan, such as:
- heart palpitations (tachycardia);
- dry mouth
- dyshidrosis;
- anaphylactic shock, including death, anaphylactoid reactions, dyspnea, skin reactions (eg, urticaria, rash, erythema and pruritus) and other manifestations of hypersensitivity;
- temporary blurred vision. The drug can be replaced with similar injections of Glucagon.
Side effects of contrast medium
Like any other medicine, barium sulfate has a number of side effects. They can be:
- severe pain in the stomach;
- severe cramping;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- tinnitus;
- sweating, confusion, increased heart rate;
- pallor of the skin;
- weakness;
- mild abdominal cramps;
- nausea or vomiting.
Contraindications
Although an intestinal x-ray is very effective in diagnosing a number of diseases, the procedure has several contraindications. These include:
- recent intestinal biopsy;
- intestinal perforation;
- bowel obstruction;
- internal bleeding;
- pregnancy.
X-ray during pregnancy
X-ray examination during pregnancy is not recommended.
The amount of radiation received during the procedure is considered safe for the patient, but can be dangerous for the unborn child. X-rays can cause the development of various pathologies in the fetus, as well as its death. A survey can only be carried out in exceptional circumstances.
Reviews
Intestinal x-ray reviews are usually positive. Patients note that the procedure itself is painless, although rather unpleasant. During the study, there is some discomfort, a feeling of pressure and bursting. A bowel examination takes some time, but after all, the patient can go home. About what an intestinal x-ray shows, you can find out about 14 days after the description of the images by a radiologist.
Finally
Despite the active development of modern computer-aided diagnostic methods, X-ray examination remains indispensable for identifying pathological conditions of various organs and systems. It allows you to study the features of the morphology and structure of the human body and evaluate the occurrence of any changes. An intestinal x-ray allows you to determine the shape, position, condition of the mucous membrane, tone and motility of some parts of the colon. Examination plays a large role in the diagnosis of various diseases, tumors, polyps, diverticula, intestinal obstruction. As a contrast agent, a suspension of barium sulfate is used.
Before the examination, special preparation for an x-ray of the intestine is carried out. It includes maintaining a diet, cleansing the body with laxatives and several enemas. In practice, it is proved that radiographs after careful adequate preparation are quite clear.
X-ray examination has both advantages and disadvantages. Before the procedure, the doctor should be told about the drugs taken, the presence of diseases, allergies, and also to exclude pregnancy.