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Gastrointestinal/Genitourinary Radiology

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Gastrointestinal Radiology

Gastrointestinal/Genitourinary Radiology

Gastrointestinal tract radiography utilizes X-ray (fluoroscopy) with the aid of contrast ingested orally or injected through a tube to identify issues with the patient’s esophagus, stomach, small bowel, and large bowel. Each procedure is relatively quick and does not require any incisions or highly invasive procedures. These procedures are often utilized to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux, hiatal hernias, aspiration, masses, or strictures. Genitourinary Radiology utilizes contrast as well, either injected through a tube or through an IV to diagnose issues with the bladder, kidneys, ureter, or uterus. Please see the list of procedures for more further information.

Procedures

Barium/Gastrografin Enema (Lower GI Examination)

A Barium/Gastrografin Examination is an imaging study that uses X-ray (fluoroscopy) to evaluate your colon (large bowel), or lower/distal portion of your gastrointestinal tract. A small tube will be inserted into the rectum and contrast, either barium or gastrografin, will be injected. During this time, the Radiologist will use X-ray (fluoroscopy) to evaluate the colon in real time and identify where the contrast is located. Once the contrast reaches the small bowel, the contrast injection is stopped, and then drained into a bag through the same tube. An enema can be required for many reasons and is an excellent study for identifying masses/polyps, narrowings, pre-operative planning, relieving constipation, or evaluating areas of the colon not visualized on a colonoscopy. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in performing and evaluating lower gastrointestinal tract (enema) studies and will be present during the procedure. If you and your physician think you are a candidate for an Enema and you have an order from your physician, please call Edward-Elmhurst Central Scheduling to schedule with Naperville Radiology at Edward Hospital at (630) 527-3200.


Defecography

A Defecography examination is an imaging study which utilizes x-ray (fluoroscopy) to evaluate the rectum and anus during defecation (bowel movement). During the examination, images will be taken while you are at rest, straining, squeezing, and during defecation. This examination can be used to assess for rectoceles (outpouching of the rectum), incontinence, prolapse of the rectum, and chronic constipation. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in performing and evaluating Defecography studies and will be present during the procedure. If you and your physician think you are a candidate for a Defecography examination and you have an order from your physician, please call Edward-Elmhurst Central Scheduling to schedule with Naperville Radiology at Edward Hospital at (630) 527-3200.


Esophagram

An esophagram is an imaging study that utilizes x-ray (fluoroscopy) to evaluate your esophagus. You will be asked to ingest either barium or gastrografin, which are liquids that show up on X-ray. Prior to barium ingestion, the Radiologist may ask you to swallow effervescent crystals to help expand the esophagus for better evaluation. An esophagram helps evaluate the anatomy and function of the esophagus. The esophagram is an excellent study to help assess for hernias, narrowings, masses, gastroesophageal reflux, and injuries from trauma. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in performing and evaluating Esophagrams and will be present during the entirety of the procedure. If you and your physician think you are a candidate for an esophagram and you have an order from your physician, please call Edward-Elmhurst Central Scheduling to schedule with Naperville Radiology at Edward Hospital at (630) 527-3200.


Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

A hysterosalpingogram is an examination that utilizes x-ray (fluoroscopy) to evaluate the uterus and fallopian tubes. The procedure involves placing a small catheter through the cervix and inflating a small balloon. Contrast is then injected and images are taken. This procedure is typically used for women with infertility (difficulty becoming pregnant) and can assess abnormalities of the uterus from adhesions, polyps, fibroids, or other masses. A hysterosalpingogram also assesses for blockage of the fallopian tubes from scarring or infection or evaluates for closure of the tubes after an elective ligation procedure. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in performing and evaluating hysterosalpingograms. If you and your physician think you are a candidate for a hysterosalpingogram and you have an order from your physician, please call Edward-Elmhurst Central Scheduling to schedule with Naperville Radiology at Edward Hospital at (630) 527-3200.


Intussusception Reduction

An intussusception reduction is a procedure performed under x-ray (fluoroscopy) by the Radiologist on children who have an ileocolic intussusception.  An intussusception is where a portion of the bowel telescopes into itself and can cause abdominal pain, blood and mucus in stool, lethargy, fever and diarrhea. A reduction can be performed after a small catheter is placed in the child’s rectum and either air or contrast material and in most cases reduced successfully. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in performing intussusception reductions and will be present during the entirety of the procedure. This procedure is typically performed on children who are admitted in the hospital or in the Emergency Room after prior imaging has been obtained.


Small Bowel Follow-Through Examination

A Small Bowel Follow-Through examination is an imaging study that utilizes x-ray to evaluate your small. You will be asked to ingest contrast, which are liquids that show up on x-ray. Once the contrast is ingested, x-rays will be taken at intervals evaluating the passage of contrast through the small bowel. The intervals and length of the procedure will be determined by the Radiologist after reviewing each x-ray individually.  A small bowel examination helps evaluate the anatomy and is an excellent study to help assess the evaluation for small bowel obstruction, narrowings, masses, and inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s. As the contrast reaches the large bowel (colon), a Radiologist will utilize x-ray (fluoroscopy) to evaluate the distal small bowel in real time imaging. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in performing and evaluating small bowel follow through examinations. If you and your physician think you are a candidate for a Small Bowel Follow-Through Examination and you have an order from your physician, please call Edward-Elmhurst Central Scheduling to schedule with Naperville Radiology at Edward Hospital at (630) 527-3200.


Upper Gastrointestinal (Upper GI) Examination

An Upper GI Examination is an imaging study that utilizes x-ray (fluoroscopy) to evaluate upper portion of your gastrointestinal tract. You will be asked to ingest either barium or gastrografin, which are liquids that show up on x-ray. Prior to barium ingestion, the Radiologist may ask you to swallow effervescent crystals to help expand the esophagus and stomach for better evaluation. An upper GI examination helps evaluate the anatomy and function of the esophagus, stomach, and proximal small bowel. This examination is an excellent study to help assess the anatomy as well as for hernias, narrowings, masses, gastroesophageal reflux, injuries from trauma, or even prominent ulcers. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in performing and evaluating upper gastrointestinal tract studies and will be present during the entirety of the procedure. If you and your physician think you are a candidate for an Upper GI Examination and you have an order from your physician, please call Edward-Elmhurst Central Scheduling to schedule with Naperville Radiology at Edward Hospital at (630) 527-3200.


Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Examination

A video swallow examination is an imaging study that utilizes x-ray to evaluate your ability to swallow different consistencies safely. Both the speech pathologist and Radiologist is present in the room and observe as you ingest the different consistencies such as thin liquid, nectar thick liquid, pudding consistencies, and cracker consistencies. You will be evaluated for appropriate swallow mechanism, whether aspiration occurs, or if there is any blockage to name a few. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in evaluating Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing examinations. If you and your physician think you are a candidate for a Video Swallow Examination and you have an order from your physician, please call Edward-Elmhurst Central Scheduling to schedule with Naperville Radiology at Edward Hospital at (630) 527-3200.


Voiding Cystourethrogram

A voiding cystourethrogram is an examination that utilizes x-ray (fluoroscopy) to evaluate the bladder and urethra and whether any reflux into the ureters is present. A small catheter is placed in the bladder and contrast is injected. Images are taken during the process. Once the bladder is distended, the patient will be asked to urinate in order to obtain images of the urethra. This procedure can be performed on adults and children for reasons such as incontinence, frequent urinary tract infections, or recent trauma and can assess for bladder abnormalities such as masses, bladder leaks, vesicoureteral reflux, and incomplete emptying of the bladder. Naperville Radiologists have Board-Certified Radiologists who have extensive experience in performing and evaluating voiding cystourethrogram studies. If you and your physician think you are a candidate for a voiding cystourethrogram and you have an order from your physician, please call Edward-Elmhurst Central Scheduling to schedule with Naperville Radiology at Edward Hospital at (630) 527-3200.