Upper GI Series - Children's Hospital Boston

300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000

My Child Has:

Upper GI Series

Programs that perform this test

Diagnostic Radiology Division

Patients who suffer from persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract, or poor weight gain might be referred for a Upper GI Series (UGI). UGI is a type of x-ray procedure in which the patient drinks barium that fills and coats the intestine. Barium is a non-toxic, contrast liquid that highlights organs to be studied. An x-ray is taken with the barium in the patients intestine, allowing the radiologist to accurately diagnose many illnesses which affect the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. UGI is limited to the esophagus, stomach, and first portion of the small intestine. The remainder of the small intestine is studied with the small bowel follow-through (SBFT) procedure. In most cases, you are informed of the results immediately after the test.

To prepare for a UGI, a patient may not eat for some time prior to the procedure. Exactly how long depends on the age of the patient. In general, patients should not eat for the length of time that she or he normally waits between meals. Thus newborns should fast for no more than 2 to 3 hours before the study, while infants and young children should not eat for 3 to 4 hours. Specific instructions are given prior to your appointment.

What is an upper GI series, with or without small bowel follow-through?

An upper GI (gastrointestinal) series is a type of x-ray procedure in which the child drinks a substance called barium which fills and coats the intestine, allowing the radiologist to accurately diagnose many illnesses which affect the esophagus, stomach and small intestine.

In the upper GI (UGI) series, the study is limited to the esophagus, stomach, and first portion of the small intestine. In a study with small bowel follow-through (SBFT), the remainder of the small intestine is also studied.

What is unique about UGI/SBFT at Children's Hospital Boston?

The procedure is performed personally by radiologists with extensive experience and training in pediatric radiology and with equipment and facilities especially designed for children.

When should I get an UGI/SBFT?

Some of the indications for UGI include vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract and poor weight gain.

How should the patient prepare for the procedure?

The patient may not eat for some time prior to the procedure. Exactly how long depends on the age of the patient. In general, the patient should not eat for the length of time that she or he normally waits between meals. Thus newborns should fast for no more than 2 to 3 hours before the study; infants and young children should not eat for 3-4 hours. Exact instructions will be given at the time of the appointment.

What will happen during the procedure?

After arriving in the Department, one of our radiology technologists will help the patient change into a hospital gown. A preliminary x-ray of the abdomen will be taken and evaluated by the radiologist. The patient will then be given the barium to drink while lying down under the x-ray camera. The radiologist will take pictures while the child drinks. There is really no more to the test than that. In the small bowel follow through, pictures are taken every half hour or so, until the entire intestine has been seen.

How does this technique work? What does the radiologist see?

The barium fills the intestine allowing the radiologist to diagnose many abnormalities that affect the intestine.

How will I learn the results?

In most cases, the radiologist will inform you of the results immediately after completion of the test. The radiologist also will speak to your doctor with whom you should consult and who will decide with you what, if anything, should be done based on the results.

What if I have other questions?

Ask the radiologist interpreting the examination, or call Dr. Carlo Buonomo at 617-355-6496.



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