What is an Upper GI?

An Upper GI is an x-ray examination of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The x-rays will be taken after you have swallowed a barium contrast medium.

Procedure

You will be asked to change into a gown for this examination. You will be lying on a table while your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine are examined with a fluoroscope (a special x-ray that projects images onto a TV screen monitor) following the ingestion of a milk-shake drink that has a barium mixture in it. This barium milk shake has a chalky and unpleasant taste. The passage of the barium through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine is monitored on the fluoroscope. X-rays are taken of you in a variety of positions.

Precautions

If you are pregnant or think that you may be pregnant, please inform the technologist prior to the start of the examination.

Post Exam

The radiologist will interpret the study and will dictate a report for your doctor. Your doctor will discuss the results with you.