Imaging & Ultrasound Inc. 

An upper GI and small bowel series is an X-ray procedure to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

Before the x-rays are taken, you must drink 16 – 20 ounces of a milkshake-like drink that contains a substance called barium, which shows up well on x-rays.

An x-ray method called fluoroscopy tracks how the barium moves through your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Pictures are taken with you in a variety of positions. You may be sitting or standing. The test usually takes around 3 hours. However, in some cases, it may take up to 6 hours to complete.

Usually, you cannot eat for a period of time before the test. You will be asked to remove all jewelry on your neck, chest, or abdomen before the test.

The x-ray may cause mild bloating but usually causes no discomfort. The barium milkshake feels chalky as you drink it.

This test is done to determine if you have a structural or functional problem in the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.

In the esophagus, abnormal results may mean one of the following: ▪ Achalasia ▪ Diverticula ▪ Esophageal abnormalities ▪ Hiatal hernias ▪ Ulcers

In the stomach, abnormal results may mean: ▪ Gastric cancer ▪ Gastric ulcers- benign ▪ Gastritis ▪ Polyps ▪ Pyloric stenosis (narrowing)

In the small intestines, the test may reveal: ▪ Malabsorption syndrome ▪ Swelling and irritation of the small intestines ▪ Tumors ▪ Ulcers