Barium Enema

What to expect during this X-ray study of the colon

A barium enema involves taking real-time X-ray images of your large bowel (also known as the colon) and rectum. We place a small tube into your rectum and introduce a barium-sulfate solution into your colon through the tube. We may also accompany the solution with air. The barium solution allows us to see your large bowel on an X-ray monitor.

Department of Radiology, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-243-6600

How Do I Prepare for the Exam?

You must follow the strict preparation guidelines detailed below. If you fail to do so, we likely will need to reschedule your barium enema.

You will need to buy HalfLytely® and Bisacodyl Tablet Bowel Prep Kit from a local pharmacy to prepare your bowel for the exam. Follow the instructions on the kit, as well as the instructions below.

Day Before Your Barium Enema

Morning: You can have a light breakfast the day before your procedure, or you can just drink clear liquids, such as:

• Water
• Apple juice
• Cranberry juice

Noon: Start your prep by following the instructions on your bowel prep kit. You should only have clear liquids for lunch. Do not eat or drink any milk products.

Evening: You should only have clear liquids for dinner. Do not eat or drink any milk products. You may have water until midnight. After midnight, do not eat or drink anything.

Day of Your Barium Enema

You can take your usual morning medications with a small amount of water. Do not take calcium tablets until after your barium enema is complete. If you have any questions before your exam, call us at 617-243-6076.

What Will Happen During the Exam?

You will undress and change into a hospital gown. We will take preliminary X-rays of your abdomen, or belly, to make sure your preparation was adequate. If it was, a radiographer will place an enema tip into your rectum while you lie on your left side on the X-ray table. The radiologist will pass the barium-sulfate suspension into your large bowel.

We will ask you to move into different positions during your exam. We will take a number of X-ray images of your large bowel. You may need to have air introduced into your colon to make the images clearer.

After we’ve taken the X-ray images, we will drain your enema. You then will have access to a private restroom so you can finish emptying the enema solution from your colon.

How Long Will the Procedure Take?

Your barium enema will take about 45 to 60 minutes to complete. It should not be painful, but you will experience bowel discomfort and the need to have a bowel movement.

How Will I Receive My Results?

You will get the results of the exam from your referring doctor.