How to Read Swallow Studies

A barium swallow study is a diagnostic test that is used to identify the causes of symptoms such as painful swallowing problems, stomach issues, heartburn, pain in the esophagus, moderate to severe abdominal pain, bloody vomit, bloody stool or unexplained weight loss. The study is performed by a radiologist.

Things You'll Need

• X-rays from Barium Swallow Test

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Instructions

How to Read Swallow Studies

• 1

  Set up an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss your malady and symptoms. A referral is written to a particular radiologist with orders for the barium swallow test to be preformed. Radiologists can detect the presence of tumors, polyps, ulcers, erosions, or any other digestive tract disorder having to do with moving food through the system by using x-ray technology and barium sulfate.

• 2

  Barium sulfate contrats against the organs.

  Schedule your appointment at the radiologist and then the procedure can be preformed. A nurse will administer 1 1/2 cups of a barium sulfate liquid, a thick, chalky, metallic drink that will act as a contrast dye. As it passes through the digestive tract, the barium can be seen on an x-ray. The procedure is simple and usually takes about an hour. A nurse will securely strap the patient to a table lying on her back. The procedure begins as the table will slowly begin to tilt forward while x-rays are taken again and again as the barium solution moves through the digestive system.

• 3

  The table will tilt in various directions to move the barium around within the body and stops after the patient is returned to a horizontal position, asked to take several more sips of the barium solution, and a final x-ray is taken. You might be asked to drink more of the liquid during the test and pressure may be applied to various parts of the body.

• 4

  Once the x-rays are developed, the radiologist will then be able to clearly see any tumors or areas of concern as a dark spot amongst the white contrast solution. The shadowed areas might be cancers or other tumors, polyps, ulcers, erosions, or any other digestive tract disorder having to do with moving food through the system and are visible on a scan by using x-ray technology and barium sulfate.

• 5

  The radiologist will send the diagnosis and scans back to the patient's primary doctor once the results are calculated. You may view your scans with your doctor where a determination will be made on courses of treatment, which could include a surgical procedure, a change in diet or the introduction of medication. The scans can detect achalasia, cancers of esophagus and stomach, gastroesophageal reflux disease, polyps, ulcers, tears in the stomach lining and esophageal stenosis.