X-Ray Exam of the Small Bowel (Small Intestine)

Your doctor has ordered an x-ray examination of the small bowel. The small bowel examination will help your physician in treating your symptoms, after he/she gets the report from the radiologist.

The examination is simple and not at all uncomfortable. You will drink a liquid called barium, which is readily visible on x-rays. The examination may take several hours, although the average time is about 2 hours. The number of x-rays varies with each patient.

When you arrive at the Radiology department on the day of your scheduled exam, you will be asked to remove clothing and neckwear and will be given a hospital gown to put on in the dressing room.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Eat a light evening meal the day before your exam. There are no restrictions as to the type of food, but do not eat heavily, no later than 6 p.m.
2. Do not eat solid food after 6 p.m., however you may continue liquids until midnight. Nothing by mouth after midnight until your test is complete the next morning.
3. This exam may take several hours to complete and there is no way to tell how long each individual exam will take. Plan ahead for parking, some reading material, etc.

When the exam has been completed, you may return to a normal diet immediately. If your doctor has restricted your diet, please continue those restrictions until you have discussed your x-ray exam with your physician. He/she may change those restrictions following your Small Bowel examination.

You may contact the Radiology Department at 333-2752 from 8am until 5pm Monday through Friday with any questions or to request an appointment date change.

APPOINTMENT DATE:___________ APPOINTMENT TIME:___________

Please bring some reading material and be prepared to be in the Radiology Department for an extended period. We cannot stop the exam and restart it later. You must remain until the exam is complete.

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