Gastrointestinal Radiology > Procedures > Barium Enema > Single Contrast > Single Contrast (4)


Single Contrast Barium Enema (cont.)

Conduct of the Examination

  1. The patient remains in the left lateral position.
    • Unclamp the tubing and allow barium to flow by gravity or by gently squeezing the enema bag.
    • When you estimate that the rectum is filled with barium, check the position of the enema tip with fluoroscopy and inflate the retention balloon in the rectal ampulla with only one puff of air during fluoroscopic monitoring.
    • You can avoid causing rectal discomfort and urgency throughout the examination by only half filling the balloon. Understand that the purpose of the balloon is to keep the enema tip from coming out - not to block egress of barium. 

    NOTE: Do not inflate the retention balloon in the presence of a mass, acute inflammation, stricture, or recent biopsy because of the potential for rectal perforation.