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Upper GI and small bowel series

Definition

An upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

Barium enema is a related test that examines the large intestine.

How the Test is Performed

An upper GI and small bowel series is done in a health care office or hospital radiology department.

You may get an injection of a medicine that slows muscle movement in the small intestine. This makes it easier to see the structures of your organs on the x-rays.

Before the x-rays are taken, you must drink 16 to 20 ounces (480 to 600 milliliters) of a milkshake-like drink. The drink contains a substance called barium, which shows up well on x-rays.

An x-ray method called fluoroscopy tracks how the barium moves through your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Pictures are taken while you sit or stand in different positions.

The test most often takes around 3 hours but can take as long as 6 hours to complete.

A GI series may include this test or a barium enema.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may have to change your diet for 2 or 3 days before the test. In most cases, you will not be able to eat for a period of time before the test.

Be sure to ask your health care provider if you need to change how you take any of your medicines. Often you can continue taking the medicines you take by mouth. Never make any changes in your medicines without first talking to your provider.

You will be asked to remove all jewelry on your neck, chest, or abdomen before the test.

How the Test will Feel

The x-ray may cause mild bloating but no discomfort most of the time. The barium milkshake feels chalky as you drink it.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is done to look for a problem in the structure or function of your esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.

Normal Results

A normal result shows that the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine are normal in size, shape, and movement.

Normal value ranges may vary depending on the lab doing the test. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results in the esophagus may indicate the following problems:

• Achalasia

• Diverticula

• Esophageal cancer

• Esophageal narrowing (stricture) - benign

• Hiatal hernia

• Ulcers

Abnormal results in the stomach may indicate the following problems:

• Gastric cancer

• Gastric ulcer - benign

• Gastritis

• Polyps (a tumor that is usually noncancerous and grows on the mucus membrane)

• Pyloric stenosis (narrowing)

Abnormal results in the small intestine may indicate the following problems:

• Malabsorption syndrome

• Swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the small intestines

• Tumors

• Ulcers

The test may also be done for the following conditions:

• Annular pancreas

• Duodenal ulcer

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Gastroparesis

• Intestinal obstruction

• Lower esophageal ring

• Primary or idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Risks

You are exposed to a low level of radiation during this test, which carries a very small risk for cancer. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.

Pregnant women should not have this test in most cases. Children are more sensitive to the risks for x-rays.

Barium may cause constipation. Talk to your provider if the barium has not passed through your system by 2 or 3 days after the exam.

Considerations

The upper GI series should be done after other x-ray procedures. This is because the barium that remains in the body may block details in other imaging tests.

References

Agosto O, Dass C, Caroline DF. The stomach. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 20.

Levine MS, Gore RM. Diagnostic imaging procedures in gastroenterology. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 124.

Review Date: 11/3/2022

Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.