Barium enema
Key points below
What is a contrast enema?
A contrast enema is an x-ray of the large intestine. The lowest part of the bowel is called the large intestine. It includes the colon and rectum.
Special preparation
No Prep is needed for this exam.
Please bring copies of any images that your child might have had done anywhere other than Children’s Wisconsin. This may include a CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine or Ultrasound.
Important information
- It is important that you follow these special instructions. If your child eats or drinks anything after the times listed above, the exam may be cancelled.
- If your child had x-rays or other images such as a CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine or Ultrasound done somewhere other than Children's Wisconsin, please bring copies of the images when your child has their test.
Before the x-ray
When you come to Imaging, someone will greet you. Your child will put on a hospital gown and robe. Then you will wait in the waiting area. A person skilled in taking x-rays, called a technologist will talk with you about the test. Please be sure to ask any questions you have.
How the procedure is done
- Your child will lie on a table in the x-ray room. There will be a doctor and a technologist in the room with your child.
- A small tube will be put in the rectum. The tube is attached to a bag filled with dye. It is also called contrast. This dye allows the colon to be seen on x-ray.
- The doctor will tell the technologist to let some of the dye from the bag slowly run into the large intestine. This will make your child feel very full. Your child will need to try very hard not to let any of the dye come out.
- A special camera is used to watch the dye as it goes into your child’s large intestine. The camera can see the dye inside of the body.
- A doctor who is trained to take and read x-rays will watch the picture on a TV screen. This doctor is called a radiologist. You and your child will be able to see the picture too.
- After the doctor is done watching the dye in the large intestine, the technologist will take a picture. Your child may need to hold their breath for the picture. The pictures do not hurt.
- After the pictures your child can use the bathroom. When your child is done in the bathroom, one more picture will be taken. The doctor will check the x-rays while you wait.
This whole test takes about 30 minutes.
Parents: If you wish to stay with your child during the exam you must meet the safety guidelines. For example, you cannot have other children with you and you must not be pregnant.
Follow-up care
Have your child drink plenty of fluids.
Results
The radiologist looks over all pictures at the end of the test. A report is sent to your child’s doctor. If we have any questions, the radiologist may contact your child’s doctor before you leave the hospital. The doctor will discuss the results with you.