Information for patients > Services > Contrast studies
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Contrast Studies and Fluoroscopy
Information for patients
It is perfectly understandable to be apprehensive when you arrive for an investigation, but staff at all our sites are kind, friendly, informative and helpful and will help you to feel relaxed and calm. The information below should give you a reasonable idea about how to prepare for your particular type of investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Contrast agents and fluoroscopy
What are contrast agents used for?
What sort of procedures use contrast media?
- Venogram
Contrast agents (media) are radio-opaque liquid substances, usually either iodine-based or barium, which are introduced into the body by mouth, per rectum or by injection.
What are contrast agents used for?
Contrast agents are used to make organs in the body visible on X-ray pictures. Iodine based contrast media can be given by injection into the blood stream or via tubes into internal organs. Barium products are used to examine the gastro-intestinal system.
Using low doses of X-rays, fluoroscopy allows examinations to be carried out in real time. This means that the radiologist can watch the examination on a TV screen as they are performing it whilst the specialist equipment records the study so that it can be replayed as a later stage for more detailed analysis. The procedure ususally involves using a contrast agent as well.
What sort of procedures use contrast media?
Intravenous urogram. This is an examination of the kidneys, ureters and bladder. A plain X-ray is taken of the abdomen and then an iodine-based contrast medium is injected into the blood stream via a vein in the arm. A series of x-ray pictures is taken as the contrast medium makes your kidneys, ureters and bladder visible.
Micturating cystogram. A small catheter tube is inserted into the bladder to allow the radiologist to run the contrast medium in during the examination. The tube is then removed. Several pictures are taken, including some while you empty your bladder.
Barium swallow/meal. This is an examination to show the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum. The barium is swallowed from a cup while the Radiologist takes pictures and observes its progress on the TV screen. The barium coats the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum to enable it to be seen on the x-ray pictures. You may be given some fizzy powder and liquid to cause some distension of the stomach and duodenum and a small injection into vein to relax the stomach muscle. Before attending for this examination you will be asked to fast for 6 hours.
Small bowel meal/enema. To examine the small intestine you will be asked to drink barium from a cup (small bowel meal) or it will be injected via a tube placed through the nose and stomach into the beginning of the small intestine (small bowel enema). The radiologist will decide which is the best procedure for you and this depends on the problem under investigation. The radiologist will observe the progress of the barium on the TV screen and take several pictures from time to time as the barium passes through the small intestine until it reaches the large intestine. Before attending for this examination you will be asked to fast for 6 hours.
Barium enema. This is an examination to show the large intestine. Barium is run into the large bowel through a tube that is placed in the rectum (back passage) and then air is blown in through the tube to distend the bowel, enabling it to be seen well on the images. This is observed on the TV screen by the radiologist, who can ensure that the entire large bowel is adequately outlined. A small intravenous injection is usually given to relax the bowel muscle. Several pictures are taken with you lying and standing in various positions.
For this examination to be successful it is essential that the large bowel is clear of all faecal material. To achieve this you will be given special dietary instructions to follow for 48 hours prior to your appointment, together with a strong laxative taken in 2 doses the day before the examination. It is advisable to stay within easy reach of a toilet once you have taken it.
Hysterosalpingogram. This examination is performed for ladies undergoing investigation for infertility. A special tube is inserted into the cervix (neck of the womb) through which contrast can be injected to outline the cavity of the womb and check the patency of the Fallopian tubes.
Venogram. This examination is occasionally used to look at the veins in the leg in suspected deep venous thrombosis and requires an injection of contrast medium into a vein on the back of the foot. It is now more common for this information to be obtained using ultrasound.
Arthrogram. The inside of a joint can be examined by directly injecting contrast medium into it and taking a series of x-ray pictures. These days, much of the information can be obtained using scans such as MRI although sometimes a special contrast medium injection is used in conjunction with an MRI scan.
Sialogram. This is a contrast examination of one of the salivary glands, usually performed to look for blockage or dilation of the salivary ducts. A tiny cannula is passed into the opening of the relevant salivary duct in the side or floor of the mouth. A small amount of contrast medium is injected to outline the duct system of the gland on X-rays.
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