Contrast Enema

If your child has been scheduled for a contrast enema, it means their doctor would like a closer look at their large intestine (colon).  

What is a contrast enema? 

A contrast enema, also called a barium enema, is an X-ray study that allows us to look at your child's colon. To do this exam we fill your child's colon with a liquid containing barium or iodine, called a contrast agent. When the colon is filled with contrast, any abnormalities in its structure become visible on an X-ray. 

A contrast enema uses fluoroscopy. This type of X-ray enables doctors to capture moving images of your child’s bowel, much like an X-ray movie.  

How contrast enema is used by doctors 

Doctors use contrast enema to diagnose conditions that affect the large intestine, including the rectum. Some reasons your child might need a contrast enema are: 

• abdominal pain 
• chronic diarrhea or constipation 
• problems with the structure of the large intestine 
• rectal bleeding 
• unexplained weight loss 

How can I help my child prepare for the exam? 

Most children do not need any special preparation before a constrast enema. If preparation is required, your doctor will go over the instructions with you.  

• Your child may take their regular medications before the exam. 
• Let your child know that you will be with them for the whole exam.  
• Have your child bring a favorite toy or comforting object with them to their appointment. 
• Please make childcare arrangements for siblings as they will not be allowed into the exam room. 
• If you are pregnant, you will not be allowed in the room during the exam and may wish to have someone else be with your child. 

What will happen during the exam? 

• Check in for your child’s appointment on the Connect patient portal. You may also check in when you arrive at the imaging center.  
• When you arrive for your appointment, your child will be asked to change into a gown.  
• You will be allowed to accompany your child to the exam room. We will ask you to wear a lead apron to protect you from unnecessary exposure to radiation. 
• The radiology technologist and radiologist will explain the exam and answer any questions you or your child may have. 
• We will ask your child to lie on a table below the fluoroscope. A radiologist will insert a very small flexible tube into your child’s rectum.  
• We will fill your child’s bowel with contrast through the tube. Your child may develop mild, crampy abdominal pain and will feel the need to move their bowels. We will ask them to “hold it” until the test is completed. 
• The radiologist will move the camera over your child to take the images. We may ask your child to turn from side to side and from stomach to back to help move the contrast through the bowel.  
• We will remove the tube and ask your child to go to the bathroom or put a diaper on until they have a bowel movement.  
• We may take additional pictures after the bowel movement. 
• A contrast enema takes between 15 and 30 minutes. 

Are there any risks? 

This is an X-ray exam, and your child will be exposed to minimal doses of radiation. We will adjust the amount of radiation to the size of your child.  Sometimes children may have mild symptoms following a contrast enema, which may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, or constipation. 

After the exam 

Your child can immediately resume their normal activities after the exam. A radiologist will analyze the fluoroscopic images and will share the results with the doctor who requested the exam. Your child’s doctor will then discuss the results with you.