GI Radiology > Esophagus > Barium Swallow

Barium Swallow: the thoracic esophagus (cont.)

The Horizontal Phase

  1. The patient lies in right anterior oblique (RAO) position on horizontal x-ray table and holds a cup of "thin barium" with the left hand.  

  2. Have patient drink barium through a straw. Watch several individual swallows from the hypopharynx to the GE junction. Look for abnormal motility as well as for anatomic lesions. 

  3. Take one (SC) spot of the barium-distended lower esophagus and gastric cardia during breath-holding. Take one SC spot of the same region during breath-holding and Valsalva maneuver to demonstrate a possible sliding hiatal hernia.