Barium Enema
A barium enema is a diagnostic X-ray examination of the colon (the large intestine) to check for colon cancer, polyps, diverticula or other abnormalities.
Doctor Referral Required
FAQ
For a Barium Enema, the preparation consists of 1 Dulcolax Suppository, 4 Dulcolax Tablets and one 11 ounce bottle of Magnesium Citrate.
The day before the exam, you must have a liquid diet for all meals. (Tea, clear broth, jello, clear fruit juices). From noon until 10:00 PM, drink six full glasses of water or clear fruit juice. At 1:00 PM, drink one bottle (11 oz.) Magnesium Citrate (cold). At 4:00 PM, take four Dulcolax tablets with water. Have nothing to eat after midnight.
The day of the exam, do not eat breakfast except for small amounts of clear fruit juice or water. Upon arriving, insert one Dulcolax suppository into rectum.
For an Air Contrast Barium Enema, the preparation consists of 1 Dulcolax Suppository, 6 Dulcolax Tablets and one 11 ounce bottle of Magnesium Citrate.)
Two days before the exam, have a low residue diet for all meals. (Do not eat raw fruits and vegetables, whole wheat bread, cereal, pork, beef, veal, fried or fatty foods, dairy products, rich desserts and nuts.) Take 2 Dulcolax tablets with water at 10:00 PM.
The day before the exam, you must have a liquid diet for all meals. (Tea, clear broth, jello, clear fruit juices). From noon until 10:00 PM, drink six full glasses of water or clear fruit juice. At 1:00 PM, drink one bottle (11 oz.) Magnesium Citrate (cold). At 4:00 PM, take four Dulcolax tablets with water. Have nothing to eat after midnight.
The day of the exam, do not eat breakfast except for small amounts of clear fruit juice or water. Upon arising, insert one Dulcolax suppository into rectum.
An inert natural compound, barium sulfate, is introduced into the colon through a narrow tube placed into your rectum. Air is often put into the colon through the same tube (this is known as an Air Contrast Barium Enema). The barium outlines the interior surface of the colon.
While the colon is being filled, the radiologist watches on a video monitor and takes X-ray images with a fluoroscopic X-ray machine. You may be asked to move into different positions to reveal all parts of your colon on the X-rays.
After your colon is full and the radiologist has taken images with the fluoroscope, the technologist also will take a few additional X-rays. Your colon will feel full at this point in the exam, but unless some cramping occurs, most patients do not experience any pain. After the X-rays are checked, you will be allowed to go to the rest room.
The procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
- Atrium Health Anson
- Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center
- Atrium Health Lincoln
- Atrium Health’s CMC-Mercy
- Atrium Health Pineville
- Atrium Health Union
- Atrium Health University City
- Davis Regional Medical Center
- Morehead Imaging Center - CMC
- Richmond Memorial Hospital
- Scotland Memorial Hospital
- Carolina Medical Center Northeast
- Atrium Health Cabarrus Imaging
Typically your referring physician will schedule an appointment for you. If you have been asked to schedule the appointment yourself, please have your physician's order and any pre-authorization information required by your insurance or health plan provider in hand, and call 704-512-2060.
