Barium Enema Examination Patient Informations

Your doctor has requested a procedure called a barium enema. This exam is performed to assess a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain or rectal bleeding, or if your doctor suspects that you may have diverticulitis (small inflamed areas in your colon) or polyps (growth of tissue on your colon).

Before Your Procedure

Day Before Procedure: ADULTS 

1. 1. Strictly Clear liquid diet – no thick soup, no thick juice, all    must be strained from particles or pulps (example: water, tea, coffee, clear soup, etc).

2. Start Klean-prep at around 12noon or 1pm (dissolve 4 sachets in 4 liters of water, and also mix it with juice if you like).

2. Finish Klean-prep by 7 or 8pm.
3. Continue clear liquid diet until 11pm.
4. Nothing per mouth after 11pm (day before the procedure) nor morning (the day of the procedure) – COMPLETE FASTING (no fluids, no solid foods).

Day Before Procedure: CHILDREN

Newborn to 4 years old - No preparation

4 years - 16 years: Clear liquid dinner the day before the procedure. Clear liquids only on the day of exam.

During Your Procedure

The technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have

You will be asked to change into a gown and to lie on the exam table on your back with your arms at your side.

The technologist will take a "scout" film to make sure that your intestines are clean. Once the scout film has been reviewed by the imaging physician, the technologist will insert a lubricated enema tip into your rectum.

The imaging physician will watch the flow of the barium on a television screen and will ask you to turn from side to side. This will help to coat the walls of your colon.  You will be asked to hold your breath and remain very still for each picture.

It is also important that you try to hold in the barium

Your exam will take approximately 45 minutes. This may be longer if additional pictures are required.

After Your Procedure

Drink plenty of liquid for 24 to 48 hours. The barium may make your stool white for several days. Your physician will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health. For any questions regarding your preparation and follow up on your appointment, please call 02-6261661 extension 401