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GI Tests

Posted: April 1, 2006

The following are some tests that are used for diagnosing gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.

• Ambulatory pH monitoring examination: The doctor puts a tiny tube into the esophagus that will stay there for 24 hours. While you go about your normal activities, it measures when and how much acid comes up into your esophagus.
• Barium enema: The doctor injects fluid containing a substance called barium into the rectum. Barium allows the doctor to see the colon on an X-ray.
• Barium swallow radiograph: Uses X-rays to help spot abnormalities such as a hiatal hernia and severe inflammation of the esophagus. With this test, you drink a solution and then X-rays are taken.
• Blood tests: A sample of blood is studied in a lab.
• Colonoscopy: The doctor puts a thin tube that has a light through the rectum and into the colon. This allows the doctor to "see" the lining of the whole colon.
• Computerized axial tomography (CT or CAT Scan): The patient drinks liquid
  containing barium and sometimes has a dye injected into their blood. (Barium and this
  special X-ray dye show up on CT scans.) Then the doctor uses a machine to take
  many X-rays at different angles from around the body. The doctor studies the images
  with a computer.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: The doctor puts a thin tube that has a light into the rectum. It allows the doctor to check the rectum and the lower part of the colon.
• Stool sample: A sample of a bowel movement is tested.
• Upper endoscopy: This is more accurate than a barium swallow radiograph and may be performed in a hospital or a doctor's office. The doctor sprays the throat to numb it and then slides a thin, flexible plastic tube called an endoscope down the throat. A tiny camera in the endoscope allows the doctor to see the surface of the esophagus and to search for abnormalities. The doctor may use tiny tweezers (forceps) in the endoscope to remove a small piece of tissue for biopsy.
• Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series with small bowel follow-through: The patient drinks a chalky liquid that contains barium and X-rays are taken. Barium shows up on X-rays. This allows the doctor to "see" the upper part of the digestive system including the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

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