What is a barium enema?
A barium enema is an imaging test that uses X-rays to take images of your large intestine—or colon. The test uses a contrast solution containing barium, which is delivered into your colon using a tube inserted in the rectum called an enema.
X-ray imaging alone doesn’t give your care team a good view of the colon. The barium contrast solution coats the inside of your colon, providing a clearer picture of its silhouette. It allows your team to get real-time images as the barium solution flows through your colon, an imaging technique known as fluoroscopy.
Your team can examine these images for any changes in your colon that might be a sign of a digestive condition.
Why might I need a barium enema?
Barium enemas aren’t used as often today because there are other more effective options. You might need a barium enema to look for signs of a digestive condition if you have symptoms or if you can’t have a more commonly used digestive test—like a colonoscopy.
The images from a barium enema might help find digestive diseases such as:
- Colorectal cancer or polyps
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Bowel obstruction
- Twisting of the colon
Barium enema vs colonoscopy
Barium enemas are no longer recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force as a first-line test for colon cancer screening and have largely been replaced by colonoscopy. The main reason is that colonoscopy is a better test to detect digestive problems, allows for biopsies and can remove polyps at the time of the procedure.
While both a barium enema and a colonoscopy can detect signs of digestive conditions, a barium enema is a less sensitive test and can miss small polyps and minor problems. If an issue is discovered on a barium enema, you will likely need a colonoscopy to get samples or remove polyps.
Barium enema is a less invasive test that isn’t usually performed under anesthesia like a colonoscopy. Another non-invasive option that does not require anesthesia is a virtual colonoscopy (also known as a CT colonography). However, all of these tests do require prep ahead of time to clean out the colon.
Barium enema prep
The prep for a barium enema is similar to the prep for a colonoscopy. You’ll need to take medications the evening before to ensure your colon is empty, allowing your team to get accurate images during the test. It’s important to follow your prep instructions carefully and completely.
Your doctor will give you step-by-step instructions for your specific test, but most people can expect to:
- Stop taking certain medications or supplements, such as blood thinners, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or iron, in the week before your test.
- The day before your barium enema, follow a clear liquid diet. This means you’ll only be allowed to drink liquids such as black coffee or tea, water, clear soda or broth.
- Take laxative medications the night before your test that will make you go to the bathroom often to clean out your colon.
- Use an enema or suppository to help clear out any remaining residue from your colon.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight.
The barium enema procedure
You’ll have your barium enema procedure in a special imaging room with the tools needed to perform a fluoroscopic X-ray. The barium solution will be delivered using an enema. The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes, but plan to be at the facility for a little over an hour to allow time for check-in, prep and a brief period of monitoring following your test.
Before the procedure
When you arrive on the day of your test, you’ll have a chance to talk to your care team about the test and sign consent forms. Then, your team will have you change into a gown and remove jewelry, eyeglasses or items with metal. Once in the exam room, you’ll lie on your side on the exam table to prepare for your test.
Understanding the results
After reviewing the images, a radiologist will provide a report with the results of your test. Your doctor will let you know the results and answer any questions about your next steps.
Results
Depending on the quality of the images, you may need other tests to give your care team more information.
- Negative result: A negative result means the radiologist didn’t find any abnormal areas in your colon on the images.
- Positive result: A positive barium enema result means something abnormal was found on your images. Your doctor might recommend follow-up tests, like a colonoscopy, to take samples and diagnose the cause.
Find a location near you
We offer barium enemas across North and Central Texas. We can help you arrange care at a location that best fits your needs.
2612 W Villa Maria Rd , Bryan, TX, 77807
2612 W Villa Maria Rd , Bryan, TX, 77807
Not accepting walk-ins
910 E Whitestone Blvd , Cedar Park, TX, 78613
910 E Whitestone Blvd , Cedar Park, TX, 78613
Not accepting walk-ins
4945 Williams Dr , Georgetown, TX, 78633
4945 Williams Dr , Georgetown, TX, 78633
Not accepting walk-ins
2600 E Pflugerville Pkwy Bldg 1, Ste 200, Pflugerville, TX, 78660
2600 E Pflugerville Pkwy Bldg 1, Ste 200, Pflugerville, TX, 78660
Not accepting walk-ins
300A University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
300A University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
Not accepting walk-ins
302 University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
302 University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
Not accepting walk-ins
2401 S 31st St , Temple, TX, 76508
2401 S 31st St , Temple, TX, 76508
Not accepting walk-ins
9101 N Central Expy Ste 100, Dallas, TX, 75231
9101 N Central Expy Ste 100, Dallas, TX, 75231
Not accepting walk-ins
900 E Whitestone Blvd , Cedar Park, TX, 78613
900 E Whitestone Blvd , Cedar Park, TX, 78613
Accepting walk-ins
763 E US Hwy 80 Ste 120, Forney, TX, 75126
763 E US Hwy 80 Ste 120, Forney, TX, 75126
Not accepting walk-ins
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
Not accepting walk-ins
1005 W Ralph Hall Pkwy Ste 121, Rockwall, TX, 75032
1005 W Ralph Hall Pkwy Ste 121, Rockwall, TX, 75032
Not accepting walk-ins
2300 W FM 544 Ste 110, Wylie, TX, 75098
2300 W FM 544 Ste 110, Wylie, TX, 75098
Not accepting walk-ins
5245 W US Hwy 290 Service Rd , Austin, TX, 78735
5245 W US Hwy 290 Service Rd , Austin, TX, 78735
Accepting walk-ins
700 Medical Pkwy , Brenham, TX, 77833
700 Medical Pkwy , Brenham, TX, 77833
Accepting walk-ins
5330 Overpass Rd , Buda, TX, 78610
5330 Overpass Rd , Buda, TX, 78610
Accepting walk-ins
12505 Lebanon Rd , Frisco, TX, 75035
12505 Lebanon Rd , Frisco, TX, 75035
Accepting walk-ins
700 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
700 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
Accepting walk-ins
1650 W College St , Grapevine, TX, 76051
1650 W College St , Grapevine, TX, 76051
Accepting walk-ins
100 Hillcrest Medical Blvd , Waco, TX, 76712
100 Hillcrest Medical Blvd , Waco, TX, 76712
Accepting walk-ins
1901 N MacArthur Blvd , Irving, TX, 75061
1901 N MacArthur Blvd , Irving, TX, 75061
Accepting walk-ins
6800 Scenic Dr , Rowlett, TX, 75088
6800 Scenic Dr , Rowlett, TX, 75088
Accepting walk-ins
100 Medical Pkwy , Lakeway, TX, 78738
100 Medical Pkwy , Lakeway, TX, 78738
Accepting walk-ins
810 W State Hwy 71 , Marble Falls, TX, 78654
810 W State Hwy 71 , Marble Falls, TX, 78654
Accepting walk-ins
5252 W University Dr Highway 380 at Lake Forest Drive, McKinney, TX, 75071
5252 W University Dr Highway 380 at Lake Forest Drive, McKinney, TX, 75071
Accepting walk-ins
2600 E Pflugerville Pkwy Bldg 1, Ste 100, Pflugerville, TX, 78660
2600 E Pflugerville Pkwy Bldg 1, Ste 100, Pflugerville, TX, 78660
Accepting walk-ins
4700 Alliance Blvd , Plano, TX, 75093
4700 Alliance Blvd , Plano, TX, 75093
Accepting walk-ins
300 University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
300 University Blvd , Round Rock, TX, 78665
Accepting walk-ins
231 S Collins Rd , Sunnyvale, TX, 75182
231 S Collins Rd , Sunnyvale, TX, 75182
Accepting walk-ins
305 Mallard Ln , Taylor, TX, 76574
305 Mallard Ln , Taylor, TX, 76574
Accepting walk-ins
2401 S 31st St , Temple, TX, 76508
2401 S 31st St , Temple, TX, 76508
Accepting walk-ins
2400 N Interstate 35E , Waxahachie, TX, 75165
2400 N Interstate 35E , Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Accepting walk-ins
3417 Gaston Ave Ste 1000 & 1100, Dallas, TX, 75246
3417 Gaston Ave Ste 1000 & 1100, Dallas, TX, 75246
Not accepting walk-ins
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd Ste 103A, Waco, TX, 76712
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd Ste 103A, Waco, TX, 76712
Not accepting walk-ins
2405 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
2405 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Not accepting walk-ins
1800 Park Place Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76110
1800 Park Place Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76110
Accepting walk-ins