Barium Enema Exams

Your doctor has requested a procedure called a barium enema. This exam is performed to assess a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain or rectal bleeding, or if your doctor suspects that you may have diverticulitis (small inflamed areas in your colon) or polyps (growth of tissue on your colon). 

Day Before Procedure: Adults

• Breakfast: Clear soup (any broth), strained fruit juices without pulp, flavored Jell‑O of any color (do not add extra ingredients), soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea.
• Noon: Clear soup (any broth), strained fruit juices without pulp, flavored Jell‑O of any color (do not add extra ingredients), soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea.
• 1 pm: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of water.
• 2 pm: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of water.
• 3 pm: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of water.
• 4 pm: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of water.
• Dinner: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of water.
• 5 pm: Clear soup (any broth), strained fruit juices without pulp, flavored Jell‑O of any color (do not add extra ingredients), soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea.
• 5:30 pm: Mix 8.39‑ounce bottle of MiraLAX (generic: GlycoLax) with a 32-ounce bottle of Gatorade (no red flavors), and refrigerate.*
• 6 pm: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of the mixture.
• 7 pm: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of the mixture.
• 7:30 pm: Take two 5‑milligram Dulcolax tablets (bisacodyl tablets) with an 8-ounce glass of water. DO NOT CHEW TABLETS.
• 8 pm: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of the mixture.
• 9 pm: Drink one full 8‑ounce glass of the mixture. Do not eat after 9 pm.

*You will have approx. 8 ounces of mixture leftover that can be discarded.

Day of Procedure: Adults

• Use a Fleet enema in the morning to provide a cleansing solution to remove any residue in the colon.
• Clear liquids only on the day of your exam.
• Do not eat or drink anything for four hours before your exam.

Day Before Procedure: Children

• Newborn to 4 years old: no preparation
• 4‑16 years: clear liquid dinner the day before the procedure; clear liquids only on the day of exam

*If a referring physician requests a prep, contact radiology at 310‑423-2723 and ask to speak to a GI radiologist.

If your doctor gave you an order, please bring it with you.

• The technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have before your exam.
• You will be asked to change into a gown and to lie on the exam table on your back with your arms at your side.
• The technologist will take a "scout" film to make sure that your intestines are clean. Once the scout film has been reviewed by the imaging physician, the technologist will insert a lubricated enema tip into your rectum.
• The imaging physician will start the exam by allowing liquid barium to flow through the enema tip, a little at a time. This material allows the visualization of your colon.
• The imaging physician will watch the flow of the barium on a television screen and will take multiple pictures throughout the process.
• As the barium is delivered, you will be asked to turn from side to side. This will help to coat the walls of your colon. After the barium is in, the technologist will take a series of X‑rays of your colon.
• You will be asked to hold your breath and remain very still for each picture.
• It is also important that you try to hold in the barium.
• An imaging physician will review the images to make sure that they are sufficient to make a diagnosis. If they are not, more pictures may be taken.
• Once the films are complete, the technologist will take you to the bathroom so that you can expel the barium.
• Final pictures will be taken to assess if your colon is empty.
• Your exam will take approximately 45 minutes. This may be longer if additional pictures are required.

• Drink plenty of liquid for 24 to 48 hours.
• The barium may make your stool white for several days.
• If you experience constipation, your physician may recommend a mild laxative.
• Your study will be read by the imaging physician and results sent to your physician, usually within 48 hours.
• Your physician will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health.