Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) Series

An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series looks at the upper and middle sections of the Reference gastrointestinal tract Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window. The test uses Reference barium contrast material Opens New Window, Reference fluoroscopy Opens New Window, and Reference X-ray Opens New Window. Before the test, you drink a mix of barium (barium contrast material) and water. The barium is often combined with gas-making crystals. Your doctor watches the movement of the barium through your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (Reference duodenum Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window) on a video screen. Several X-ray pictures are taken at different times and from different views.

A small bowel follow-through may be done immediately after a UGI to look at the rest of the small intestine. If just the throat and esophagus are looked at, it is called an esophagram (or barium swallow). See Reference barium swallow images Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

Upper endoscopy is done instead of a UGI in certain cases. Endoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) to look at the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine (duodenum).

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