What do you need to know about the barium swallow?

Tips What is a barium swallow? A barium swallow is a special type of X-ray test that helps your doctor take a close look at the back of your mouth and throat, known as the pharynx, and the tube that extends from the back of the tongue down to the stomach, known as the esophagus.

What is the molecular weight of barium baryum?

Barium PubChem CID 5355457 Synonyms 7440-39-3 Ba Barium bario baryum More… Molecular Weight 137.33 Date s Modify 2021-06-19 Create 2004-09-16

How is barium used in the medical field?

Barium sulfate is sometimes used by doctors to perform medical tests and to take x-rays of the gastrointestinal tract. Barium appears as a silver to white metallic solid . Contact may cause burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Used to make other chemicals.

What are the side effects of barium in rats?

An estimated of the biological half-life for barium in the rat is 90-120 days. The acute effects of barium ingestion in animals includes salivation, nausea, diarrhea, tachycardia, hypokalaemia, twitching, flacid paralysis of skeletal muscle, respiratory muscle paralysis and ventricular fibrillation may lead to death.

Barium swallow is a dedicated test of the pharynx, esophagus, and proximal stomach , and may be performed as a single or double contrast study. The study is often “modified” to suit the history and symptoms of the individual patient, but it is often useful to evaluate the entire pathway from the lips to the gastric fundus.

Why is Barium esophagography performed in all radiology practices?

Because of its versatility, barium esophagography is one GI fluoroscopic study that continues to be performed in nearly all radiology practices every day. Since, for the foreseeable future, we radiologists will continue to be performing these studies, our patients deserve that we learn to perform them well.

What kind of osmolarity agent is used for barium swallow?

A low osmolarity agent such as Omnipaque may be used in this setting. When barium is not used, the study is often called a contrast swallow. Examination technique depends on the indication of the study. Preparation needed for study is overnight fasting, avoiding smoking or chewing gum to decrease the secretions in the oral cavity and pharynx.

When to use water soluble contrast instead of barium?

Water-soluble contrast agents should be used instead of barium in the following cases: Caution should be exercised when using water-soluble contrast agents in patients with a risk for aspiration. Aspiration of high-osmolarity water-soluble contrast agents has been associated with massive pulmonary edema and subsequent death.