Chen Anthony, Tafti Dawood, Tuma Faiz
Brooke Army Medical Center
Central Michigan University
The barium swallow study, also known as a barium esophagogram or esophagram, is a contrast-enhanced radiographic study commonly used to assess structural characteristics, and to some extent the functional characteristics of the esophagus. It is important to distinguish this from a "modified barium swallow" study or a "videofluoroscopic swallow study." The videofluoroscopic swallow study examines the mechanics of swallowing and is performed in conjunction with a speech pathologist. A barium swallow study may be used in the diagnosis of a wide range of pathologies including esophageal motility disorders, strictures, and perforations. It may also be used to characterize more distal pathology such as hiatal hernias, gastroesophageal reflux, or gastric volvulus. A barium swallow study can also be used to obtain some details and evaluation of the swallowing process at the pharyngeal level, although this is often served by a Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study. The barium esophagogram is noninvasive and readily performed, requiring only radiographic still-image capability and contrast medium. As such, it is a useful exam despite the current wide availability of CT imaging. The use of barium sulfate contrast is considered to result in a more sensitive study when compared to those utilizing water-soluble agents such as Gastrografin/diatrizoate. Barium provides better contrast images.
吞钡检查，也称为食管钡餐造影或食管造影，是一种增强造影的放射学检查，常用于评估食管的结构特征，在一定程度上也可评估其功能特征。重要的是要将其与“改良吞钡检查”或“视频荧光吞咽检查”区分开来。视频荧光吞咽检查用于检查吞咽机制，需与言语病理学家联合进行。吞钡检查可用于诊断多种病症，包括食管动力障碍、狭窄和穿孔。它还可用于确定更远端的病变，如食管裂孔疝、胃食管反流或胃扭转。吞钡检查也可用于获取咽部水平吞咽过程的一些细节并进行评估，尽管这通常由视频荧光吞咽检查完成。食管钡餐造影是非侵入性的，操作简便，仅需具备放射静态成像能力和造影剂即可。因此，尽管目前CT成像广泛可用，但它仍是一项有用的检查。与使用水溶性造影剂如泛影葡胺/泛影酸盐的检查相比，使用硫酸钡造影剂被认为能使检查更敏感。钡能提供更好的对比图像。
