What is a small bowel follow-through?
A small bowel follow-through procedure uses fluoroscopic imaging, a type of x-ray, to view images of your small intestine. At Adult Gastroenterology Associates, we perform the small bowel follow-through to assess abnormalities in the small intestine, as well as to diagnose a number of conditions, including:
- Crohn’s disease
- Abnormal masses or polyps
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Small bowel obstruction
- Cancer of the small intestine
- Surgical complications of the abdomen or bowel
If you or a loved one is in need of a small bowel follow-through, contact the skilled GI specialists at any of our Tulsa, OK locations to request a consultation today.
Who needs a small bowel follow-through?
A small bowel follow-through procedure may be recommended if you have:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Other gastrointestinal symptoms.
It’s one of the most effective ways to examine the whole of the small bowel and can be useful in the diagnosis of intestinal conditions including Crohn’s disease. To find out if this is the right diagnostic procedure for you, contact your nearest Tulsa, OK location today.
How do I prepare for my small bowel follow-through?
Prior to your small bowel follow-through, it’s important that you let our team know of any medications you take, if you have any allergies (particularly to iodine contrast materials), if you have recently been sick, or if you have any medical conditions we should know about.
We will provide you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your small bowel follow-through. We may ask you to limit your food and drink intake the day prior to your procedure, and to fast several hours in advance of your procedure. Additionally, we may ask you to take a laxative, which can help us see your digestive tract better.
Before we begin, we’ll have you change into a hospital gown and remove jewelry, dental appliances, glasses, or anything else that could interfere with the x-ray.
How is the small bowel follow-through performed?
You will be asked to drink a chalky mixture called barium prior to your procedure. This helps to outline your small intestine, making it more visible on the x-ray. You may also be asked to drink a methylcellulose solution that slightly distends the bowel, which again makes it easier to see via x-ray. As the barium makes its way through your system, which usually takes between 1 – 4 hours, a series of x-rays will be taken at different intervals.
After the test, you’ll be advised to drink plenty of fluids to help wash the barium out of your body. You may have some mild bloating or constipation and your stools may look more pale than normal for a few days.
You will be asked not to eat and drink for several hours before the procedure. Your doctor will advise you if you need to make any changes to your medication or diet beforehand, although this is not usually the case.
