Barium Enema

Air Contrast Study, Lower Gastrointestinal Series

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Stool or gas in the colon.
• Muscle spasms in the colon wall.
• Inability to remain still or to cooperate during the test.
• Extreme obesity.
• A barium swallow test (upper gastrointestinal series) done within a week before the test.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: April 30, 2009
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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