HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Barium Enema
Why It Is Done
A barium enema is done to:
- Identify inflammation of the intestinal wall that occurs in Reference inflammatory bowel diseases Opens New Window, such as Reference ulcerative colitis Opens New Window or Reference Crohn's disease Opens New Window. A barium enema also may be used to monitor the progress of these diseases.
- Find problems with the structure of the large intestine, such as narrowed areas (strictures) or pockets or sacs (diverticula) in the intestinal wall.
- Help correct
a condition called ileocolic
Reference intussusception Opens New Window Reference
Opens New Window, in which the end of a child's small
intestine protrudes into the large intestine. - Evaluate abdominal symptoms such as pain, blood in stool, or altered bowel habits.
- Evaluate other problems such as Reference anemia Opens New Window or unexplained weight loss.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference April 25, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
|
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