Barium Swallow

• Barium Swallow Introduction
• Risks
• Barium Swallow Preparation
• During the Procedure
• After the Procedure
• Next Steps
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Synonyms and Keywords
• References
• Authors and Editors

Barium Swallow Introduction

A barium swallow is a test that may be used to determine the cause of painful swallowing, difficulty with swallowing, abdominal pain, bloodstained vomit, or unexplained weight loss.

Barium sulfate is a metallic compound that shows up on x-ray and is used to help see abnormalities in the esophagus and stomach. When taking the test, you drink a preparation containing this solution. The x-rays track its path through your digestive system.

• These problems can be detected with a barium swallow:
  
  
  • Narrowing or irritation of the esophagus (the muscular tube between the back of the throat and the stomach)
    
    
  • Disorders of swallowing
    
    
  • Hiatal hernia (an internal defect that causes the stomach to slide partially into the chest)
    
    
  • Abnormally enlarged veins in the esophagus that cause bleeding
    
    
  • Ulcers
    
    
  • Tumors
    
    
  • Polyps (growths that are usually not cancerous, but could be precancerous)

Risks

A barium swallow is generally a safe test, but like any procedure, there are occasionally complications. Your doctor should be advised of problems so you can be treated right away. Following are some of these complications:

• Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis may occur in people who are allergic to the barium drink.

• Constipation may develop.

• You may accidentally get barium in the trachea (windpipe). The medical term for this is aspiration.