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Esophagram Test



 Submitted by Nick on January 21, 2011
An esophagram is basically a test that is used for the inspection of the esophagus. The esophagram is a test which is conducted in the form of a series of tests that are carried out on the middle and upper GI regions. The esophagram is conducted using barium, fluoroscopy and X-rays. Barium is a contrast material and is hence used as a marker in the esophagram test. During the esophagram test the patient is required to drink some water in which barium has been added and as the barium travels down the patient’s esophageal passage, the entire path is clearly mapped. Sometimes, before the patient is made to swallow the barium during an esophagram, a few gas producing crystals are also added to it. Once swallowed the movement of the barium is tracked through the stomach, esophagus and even a portion of the small intestines.

During the esophagram while the movement of the barium is being tracked using fluoroscopy on a video monitor, the technologist will also be taking several x-ray pictures from several different directions and at various intervals. Although the esophagram test is used to track the health of the upper section of the gastrointestinal tract, the esophagram actually consists of only an examination of the throat, esophagus and mouth. The esophagram test is also known as the barium swallow test or the barium esophagram test. An esophagram test is usually conducted when the person displays certain particular symptoms such as incessant vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation, pain in the esophagus and other such symptoms. The esophagram may also be used by the doctor to detect any abnormalities of the esophageal tract, tumors and ulcers. Typically the esophagus is a highly motile organ of the body which helps an individual in swallowing their food. However, if somehow the motility of the organ is adversely affected on account of some abnormality or a disease then the person may face a problem with swallowing food and also keeping it down. While preparing for an esophagram test, it is necessary for the individual to discuss with their doctor and even the technologist any kinds of allergies or long term medications that may be being used. Similarly, if the patient is pregnant or planning on getting pregnant then this too should be informed in advance to the doctor. Doctors would also recommend that the esophagram test be taken in the morning as the patient requires to fast for at least 12 hours before the test.
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