The Center for Pediatric Imaging
Special
X-Ray Studies
 Certain types of X-ray studies are done using fluoroscopy or X-ray
movies. The most common ones are described below.
Barium Swallow and Upper GI
This is a test that looks at how the child swallows or whether there is
anything in the esophagus (the tube that goes from the mouth to the
stomach) or the stomach. The child is
given barium in a cup or baby
bottle.
- Can the child eat before this test?
 No. The child must have an empty stomach. For a small baby this is 4
hours, but for anyone older it means not having anything to eat on the
day of the test.
- Can the child eat after the test?
Certainly!
Upper G-I and Small Bowel
This is the same as an upper G-I except that the child needs to drink more
barium so that it can be followed by x-ray until it passes through the
entire small intestine and reaches the large intestine. This frequently
requires a long time to pass the entire way, so the parent should be
prepared to be in the department for several hours.
- Can the child eat before this test?
No. The child must have an empty stomach. For a small baby this is 4
hours, but for anyone older it means not having anything to eat on the
day of the test.
- Can the child eat after the test?
Certainly!
Barium enema
This is a test with barium that looks at the colon or large intestine. A soft plastic tube is placed into the
rectum and the barium is dripped in while the pictures are being taken.
This makes the child feel like he needs to go to the bathroom. After the
pictures are taken, the child is allowed to go to the bathroom.
- Is there special preparation for this test?
Depending on the age of the child and the reason for the test, there
may be preparation. For infants there usually is no preparation. For
older children, there usually is preparation which includes laxatives
or enemas. At the time the exam is scheduled, you will be told whether
the child needs a prep.
Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)
This is a test to look at the urinary bladder and to see whether urine
goes from the bladder back up to the kidneys (this is known as reflux). To
do this the region of the child's urethra (where the urine comes out) is
washed with a gentle soap on cotton balls. A catheter (or tube) about the
size of a piece of spaghetti is placed through the urethra and into the
bladder and a special solution is dripped in that can be seen on x-ray.
When the bladder is full, the child urinates into a pan.
- Is there any special preparation for this test?
No.
Preparing for special X-rays >
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