What can upper gastrointestinal tract barium meal detect?

Upper gastrointestinal tract barium meal is a common medical examination method. It has a good examination effect on the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, duodenum, small intestine, etc. It is very effective in detecting esophageal polyps and varicose veins. Of course, it has a good examination effect on the stomach, duodenum, etc. You should pay attention before the examination and stop taking some drugs that are not X-ray-transparent or affect gastrointestinal function within 1 to 2 days.

What can upper gastrointestinal tract barium meal detect?

Upper gastrointestinal tract contrast examination includes esophageal barium contrast examination and barium gastrointestinal tract contrast examination. Since X-rays cannot pass through barium, doctors can understand the anatomy, function, and pathology of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and colon by observing the filling of barium. This examination is one of the commonly used diagnostic methods for digestive system diseases and complements gastroscopy.

Barium meal examination is usually performed on three sections: esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Through examination, their morphology, elasticity, mobility, mucosal folds, etc. can be observed. The specific lesions that can be observed are as follows: 1. Esophageal: esophageal cancer, polyps, esophageal varices or stenosis, leiomyoma, esophageal ulcer, diverticulum, hiatal hernia, esophageal mediastinal fistula, achalasia. 2. Stomach: gastric cancer, gastric ulcer, gastric stone, gastric mucosal prolapse, polyps, external pressure changes, pyloric obstruction, etc. 3. Duodenum: duodenal bulb ulcer, diverticulum, stenosis, duodenal tumor, pancreatic head cancer, ampullary cancer, etc. Generally, barium meal examination has a high diagnostic rate for gastric morphology, submucosal or external pressure lesions, while gastroscopy is better for observing gastric mucosal lesions. If the barium meal cannot confirm the diagnosis, further electronic fiber gastroscopy can be performed.

Notes before examination: 1. Stop taking drugs that are not X-ray-painted or affect gastrointestinal function, such as bismuth subcarbonate and calcium gluconate, 1-2 days before the examination. 2. Eat food with little residue and easily digestible one day before the examination, and do not eat after dinner. 3. Patients with gastric retention should undergo gastric lavage the night before examination. The purpose is to clear the gastric contents and facilitate barium meal examination. 4. Perform a full digestive tract barium meal examination. Take 100g of barium sulfate powder at 2 a.m. on the examination day, mixed with 200-300ml of warm water. 5. Explain to the patient that swallowing barium is harmless to the body, it will not be absorbed and will be excreted from the body with the stool after taking it. You will have white dry stool 1-2 days after the barium meal examination, so don't be nervous. 6. Pregnant women under 3 months of pregnancy are prohibited from undergoing this examination.

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