What
happens during a Small Bowel Follow-Through?
Is
there any preparation for this procedure?
How
long does this procedure take?
When
can I get my results?
What happens during a Small Bowel Follow-Through?
Sometimes called a dedicated small bowel follow through, this examination
takes a look at the entire small intestine using x-rays. You will be required
to drink three cups of a thin liquid called barium which coats the inside
of your intestines and enables our physician, the radiologist to examine
the small bowel. After drinking the barium, x-ray pictures will be taken
of your abdomen at timed intervals. The length of time it takes to complete
your exam depends on the time it takes for the barium to pass through
your small intestine. It may take as little as one hour but may well last
more than 4 to 5 hours. This varies among people.
Is there any preparation for
this procedure?
Prior to this test, obtain a Fleet Prep kit #1 or #3 from you local pharmacy.
Read the entire instruction sheet and follow the 24 hour prep schedule,
except you do not need to use the suppository, or enema. Do not eat, drink,
smoke or chew anything after midnight the night before your exam. If your
exam is scheduled for the afternoon, you may have a small glass of water
in the morning, but remember, no breakfast. If you have diabetes, please
take ½ of your usual Lente, NPH or Novalin 70./30 insulin dose on the
day of the exam. Do not take any regular insulin on the morning of the
test.
How long does this procedure
take?
Though the procedure is painless, it is time-consuming, often taking 2
to 4 hours to complete. Please allow adequate time in your schedule for
waiting. If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, tell the technologist
before the test.
When can I get my results?
The results of your test will be available to your physician the following
day.
If you have any additional questions or concerns about this procedure,
you may call G-I Radiology directly at area code (734) 936-4512 between
the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
U-M Health System Related Sites:
Department
of Internal Medicine Division of Gastroenterology
Other Related Web Sites:
National Institute of Digestive
Diseases
Your
Digestive System and How it Works
This
information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers
but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical
treatment. You should speak to your physician or make
an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about
this information or your medical condition.