Barium Enema (BE)

Why do I need this?
A Barium Enema studies the lower intestinal tract for patients with diagnoses such as constipation, lower abdominal pain or flank pain.

What is the barium enema like for the patient?
You will be asked to pick up a prep kit 3 days before your exam that needs to be started 48 hours prior to your exam. You will need to arrive one and a half hours before your scheduled time to register. After registration, you will be directed to the procedure room in radiology. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and the technologist will administer the cleansing enema of water. After the cleansing enema you will be asked to go into the bathroom to relieve the pressure on your abdomen. You will be asked to wait for a period of time before the barium enema. For the barium enema, the technologist will administer the barium through your rectum. You will be asked to hold the barium in your colon for a period of time. The radiologist will watch the procedure on an x-ray monitor and may ask you to change positions on the table. You will then be asked to go into the bathroom and evacuate your colon. After your exam it is important that you drink fluids to re-hydrate yourself.