Barium sulfate is used to help doctors examine the esophagus (tube that connects the mouth and

stomach), stomach, and intestine using x-rays or computed tomography (CAT scan, CT scan; a
type of body scan that uses a computer to put together x-ray images to create cross-sectional or
three dimensional pictures of the inside of the body). Barium sulfate is in a class of medications
called radiopaque contrast media. It works by coating the esophagus, stomach, or intestine with a
material that is not absorbed into the body so that diseased or damaged areas can be clearly seen
by x-ray examination or CT scan.A barium X-ray is a radiographic (X-ray) examination of the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Barium X-rays (also called upper and lower GI series) are used to
diagnose abnormalities of the GI tract, such as tumors, ulcers and other inflammatory conditions,
polyps, hernias, and strictures.

The use of barium with standard X-rays contributes to the visibility of various
characteristics of the GI tract. Barium is a dry, white, chalky powder that is mixed with water to
make barium liquid. Barium is an X-ray absorber and appears white on X-ray film. When
instilled into the GI tract, barium coats the inside wall of the esophagus, stomach, large intestine,
and/or small intestine so that the inside wall lining, size, shape, contour, and patency (openness)
are visible on X-ray. This process shows differences that might not be seen on standard X-rays.
Barium is used only for diagnostic studies of the GI tract.

In addition to drinking barium, air is often inserted into the bowel for a lower GI X-ray. For an
upper GI X-ray, some patients may be given baking soda crystals (similar to Alka-Seltzer) to
further improve the image. These types of procedure are called air-contrast or double-contrast GI
studies.

Fluoroscopy is often used during a barium X-ray. Fluoroscopy is a study of moving body
structures—similar to an X-ray "movie." A continuous X-ray beam is passed through the body
part being examined, and is transmitted to a TV-like monitor so that the body part and its motion
can be seen in detail. In a barium X-ray, fluoroscopy allows the radiologist to see the movement
of the barium through the GI tract as it is instilled through the mouth or the rectum.

Inconclusion procedures are often performed in addition to barium X-rays. These

procedures may include endoscopic examinations (an endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that is
inserted into a body cavity and, using fiberoptic technology, provides direct visualization of the
inside of the cavity), computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
scans, and intra-cavity ultrasound.
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