X-Ray Exam of the Esophagus

Your doctor has ordered an x-ray examination of the muscular tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. The esophagram 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 usually takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Several x-rays will be taken while you are swallowing the barium. 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 jewelry from the waist up and will be given a hospital gown to put on in the dressing room.

PREPARATION

You must follow a simple preparation for the esophagram to be successful. It is an EXTREMELY important part of the exam. Failure to follow the preparation instructions may interfere with the results. This could require having to reschedule and repeat the exam with proper preparation.

INSTRUCTIONS: You may eat and drink until 8am the morning of the examination. You MAY NOT have anything by mouth after 8am the day of the test until the exam has been completed.  You should also abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before the test.

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 esophagram.

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:___________

ARRIVING LATE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT MAY MEAN HAVING TO RESCHEDULE YOUR EXAM FOR ANOTHER DATE.

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