Mass General West Imaging - Patient Prep Guidelines

GASTROINTESTINAL EXAMINATIONS ( Download this file in .pdf )

MASS GENERAL WEST IMAGING
40 Second Avenue
The PARC Center
Suite 100 (Diagnostic Services)
Suite 120 (CT/MRI Services)
Suite 130 (Bone Densitometry and Screening Mammography)
Waltham, MA 02451
Exit 27B off Route 95/128

Welcome to Mass General West Imaging, a state of the art imaging center staffed by Radiologists and Technologists of the Massachusetts General Hospital. We provide the highest standard of medical imaging service and interpretation that you have come to expect from MGH in a modern, convenient suburban setting. We want you, our patients, to be well informed about your imaging studies and have prepared this web site for you to read prior to your arrival in our department.

GASTROINTESTINAL EXAMINATIONS: Imaging of the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and colon are performed in the fluoroscopy suite where X ray pictures are taken with a special TV camera on a movable table.

BARIUM SWALLOW/UPPER GI: You will be asked to drink a fizzy/gassy liquid to open up your stomach like a balloon. You will then drink Barium, an inert substance that can be seen on X ray, and the radiologist will take pictures while you drink in different positions. The test takes approximately 10 minutes.

Preparation: Nothing to eat 8 hours before.

BARIUM ENEMA:

Preparation: You will purchase a Fleet’s Gold preparation kit at your local pharmacy at least three days prior to your examination and follow the instructions carefully. In the fluoroscopy suite, you will first have an X-ray taken to determine if your colon is adequately cleaned out to proceed with the test. If so, a small tube will be inserted into your rectum and a tiny balloon will be inflated to hold it in place. Liquid barium will then be instilled into your colon via a tube, until your colon is full. (You will feel as though you need to have a bowel movement). Pictures will be taken. The liquid is then drained, leaving a thin coating along the bowel wall. Air is then gently instilled into the colon to expand it. More pictures will be taken. (You may experience some mild cramping during this phase). The tube is then removed and a final picture is taken after you use the bathroom.