barium swallow

barium swallow

n.

See upper GI series.

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Barium swallow

Barium is used to coat the throat in order to take x-ray pictures of the tissues lining the throat.

Mentioned in: Radical Neck Dissection

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barium swallow

Etymology: Gk, barys, heavy; AS, swelgan, to swallow

the oral administration of a radiopaque barium sulfate suspension given to radiographically demonstrate possible defects in the esophagus and abnormal borders of the posterior aspects of the heart. See also barium meal.

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barium

a chemical element, atomic number 56, atomic weight 137.34, symbol Ba. See Table 6. Soluble salts, e.g. the chloride and the carbonate, are toxic.

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barium burger, barium meal

a mixture of barium and solid food, used as a contrast medium in radiographic studies of the esophagus, instead of liquid barium mixtures.

barium chloride

used as a rodenticide. The baits are attractive to dogs. Clinical signs include salivation, convulsions and paralysis.

barium deficiency

preliminary experiments showing that diets deficient in barium fed to rats and guinea pigs depress growth have been neither invalidated nor confirmed.

barium enema

a dilute (5 to 20%) suspension of barium is introduced into a colon that has been emptied by starvation and previous enema.

Barium enema. By permission from Ettinger SJ, Feldman E, Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Saunders, 2004

barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS)

radio-opaque markers used to demonstrate intestinal obstruction and motility disorders; the spheres are given orally and their movement can be tracked radiographically.

barium meal

a strong (usually 100%) suspension of barium sulfate is administered to an animal which has been starved for at least 12 hours.

barium study

x-ray examination using a barium mixture to help locate disorders in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and the small and large intestines. Called also barium test.

barium sulfate

a water-insoluble salt used as an opaque contrast medium for x-ray examination of the digestive tract.

barium swallow

a small amount of barium paste or liquid administered orally and observed radiographically or by fluoroscopy for examination of swallowing and esophageal function.

barium test

barium study.

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swallow

1. the amount of ingesta that can be swallowed at one time.

2. to perform the act of swallowing.

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barium swallow

see barium swallow.

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barium swallow

Imaging A technique in which a radiocontrast 'milkshake' of barium sulfate is swallowed to detect benign or malignant lesions of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, and evaluate the integrity of the swallowing mechanism; the progress of the barium is followed radiographically to detect filling 'defects'–places where normal outline of barium should be seen but is not Indications Detection of foreign bodies, strictures, tumors, Barrett's esophagus, fistulas, reflux; definitive diagnosis of lesions requires endoscopic biopsy