Barium Enema

A barium enema is an x-ray exam that can detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon). The procedure is also called a colon x-ray. An enema is the injection of a liquid into your rectum through a small tube. In this case, the liquid contains a metallic substance (barium) that coats the lining of the colon. Normally, an x-ray produces a poor image of soft tissues, but the barium coating results in a relatively clear silhouette of the colon.

SYMPTOMS

• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic diarrhea
• Persistent constipation

CAUSES

• Bowel cancer.
• Growths in the bowel (bowel polyps)
• Inflammation of the bowel (ulcerative colitis) or crohn's disease.
• Pouches in the bowel (diverticular disease)