Pediatric Barium Enema
| Pediatric Barium Enema
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Overview Preparation for the exam: Children 2-6 years should not have anything to eat or drink from midnight before the exam and get a ducolax suppository 3 hours prior to the exam. This may be purchased at your local pharmacy, and does not require a prescription. Children 7 yrs. And older should not have anything to eat or drink from midnight before the exam, a ducolax suppository in the evening before the exam, and a ducolax suppository the morning before the exam. These suppositories may be purchased at your local pharmacy and do not require a prescription. Appointment time: You and your child will be escorted into the exam room by a radiologic technologist. Your child will have to change into a hospital gown, and a plain x-ray film will be taken to ensure that the preparation for the exam was followed correctly. The radiologist will enter the room and take a brief history from you so that he/she will be able to perform an accurate study for your child. A small tube will be inserted into your childs rectum that allows us to fill their colon with barium. Your child will be placed carefully and gently in various positions while the radiologist uses a special x-ray camera called a fluoroscope to take pictures of you childês anatomy. This exam will be uncomfortable for your child, however it should not be painful. The exam is typically very quick, and usually takes no more than 15 minutes from when the tube is inserted. Please keep in mind that you will not be able to hold your child once the tube is inserted. It is important that you follow the radiologistês instructions in helping us position your child for various films necessary in an accurate study and proper diagnosis. Once it is determined that all the x-ray pictures have been taken and your childs anatomy has been properly visualized, the tube will be removed and your child will be permitted to go to the bathroom. If you do not think you will be able to handle being in the room with your child in an uncomfortable state, please let us know before the exam. It is important that you try and explain the procedure to your child before the exam, if they are old enough to realize the importance of this test. The total exam time should be about 45 minutes from when you enter the exam room until you are permitted to leave. If Hirschprungs Disease is a concern of your pediatrician, a 24 hour delay film will be required. You will have to return to our department the following day where a plain x-ray film will be taken of your childês abdomen. The conclusion of your exam: Results: |
