Barium Swallow

A barium swallow, also called an esophagogram, is an imaging test that checks for problems in your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your upper GI tract includes your: Mouth; Back of the throat; Esophagus (the tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach); Stomach; Duodenum (first part of your small intestine) ; A barium swallow test involves drinking a chalky-tasting liquid that contains barium. Barium is a substance that coats your internal organs and tissues, so they can be seen more clearly on an x-ray.

This can allow your health care provider to find problems and abnormal areas in your GI tract. The test uses a special type of x-ray called fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy shows internal organs moving in real time as a live video.

It allows your provider to see how you swallow and how some of your other internal organs look. Fluoroscopy may be used to diagnose certain health conditions or to guide treatment procedures such as surgeries.

Why this test is done

Your provider may order this test to check how well an upper GI organ works. You may need this test if you have symptoms of an upper GI disorder, such as:

• Trouble swallowing
• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Vomiting
• Bloating

How to prepare

Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. You will probably be asked to fast (not eat or drink) after midnight on the night before the test. You may be asked to avoid anything that might coat your throat, such as smoking, chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy.

You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.

Other names for this test

esophagogram, esophagram, upper GI series, swallowing study, esophagography, modified barium swallow study, video fluoroscopy swallow study