BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuEnteroclysisSmall bowel enema; CT enteroclysis; Small bowel follow-through; Barium enteroclysis; MR enteroclysisEnteroclysis is an imaging test of the small intestine. The test looks at how a liquid called contrast material moves through the small intestine. How the Test is Performed This test is done in a radiology department. Depending on the need, x-ray, CT scan, or MRI imaging is used.CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The test involves the following:The health care provider inserts a tube through your nose or mouth into your stomach and into the beginning of the small bowel. Contrast material and air flow through the tube, and images are taken. The provider can watch on a monitor as the contrast moves through the bowel.The goal of the study is to view all of the loops of small bowel. You may be asked to change positions during the exam. The test may last a few hours, because it takes a while for the contrast to move through all of the small bowel. How to Prepare for the Test Follow your provider's instructions on how to prepare for the test, which may include:Drinking clear liquids for at least 24 hours before the test. Not eating or drinking anything for several hours before the test. Your provider will tell you exactly how many hours. Taking laxatives to clear the bowels. Not taking certain medicines. Your provider will tell you which ones. DO NOT stop taking any medicines on your own. Ask your provider first.If you are anxious about the procedure, you may be given a sedative before it starts. You will be asked to remove all jewelry and wear a hospital gown. It is best to leave jewelry and other valuables at home. You will be asked to remove any removable dental work, such as appliances, bridges, or retainers.If you are, or think you're pregnant, tell the provider before the test. How the Test will Feel The placement of the tube may be uncomfortable. The contrast material may cause a feeling of abdominal fullness. Why the Test is Performed This test is performed to examine the small bowel. It is one way of telling if the small intestine is normal. Normal Results There are no problems seen with the size or shape of the small intestine. Contrast travels through the bowel at a normal rate without any sign of blockage. What Abnormal Results Mean Many problems of the small intestine can be found with enteroclysis. Some of these include:Inflammation of the small bowel (such as Crohn disease) Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Small bowel isn't absorbing nutrients normally (malabsorption) MalabsorptionMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Narrowing or stricture of the intestine Narrowing or stricture of the intestineIntestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Small bowel blockage Small bowel blockageIntestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tumors of the small intestine Risks The radiation exposure may be greater with this test than with other types of x-rays because of the length of time. But most experts feel that the risk is low compared to the benefits.Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of x-ray radiation. Rare complications of enteroclysis include:Allergic reactions to medicines prescribed for the test (your provider can tell you which medicines) Possible injury to bowel structures during the study Barium may cause constipation. Tell your provider if the barium has not passed through your system by 2 or 3 days after the test, or if you feel constipated.Open ReferencesReferencesAl Sarraf AA, McLaughlin PD, Maher MM. The small intestine, mesentery and peritoneal cavity. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 21.Thomas AC. Imaging the small bowel. In: Sahani DV, Samir AE, eds. Abdominal Imaging. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 24.AllVideoImagesTogSmall intestine contrast injection - illustration Enteroclysis is a test performed to examine the small bowel. A tube is placed down the nose and throat, through the stomach into the small intestine. When in place, contrast dye is introduced and x-ray images are viewed on a fluoroscopic monitor to visualize how the contrast moves through the bowel structures. The enteroclysis test is the most complete means of demonstrating whether or not the small intestine is normal when abnormality is suspected.Small intestine contrast injectionillustrationSmall intestine contrast injection - illustration Enteroclysis is a test performed to examine the small bowel. A tube is placed down the nose and throat, through the stomach into the small intestine. When in place, contrast dye is introduced and x-ray images are viewed on a fluoroscopic monitor to visualize how the contrast moves through the bowel structures. The enteroclysis test is the most complete means of demonstrating whether or not the small intestine is normal when abnormality is suspected.Small intestine contrast injectionillustration Tests for Enteroclysis EnteroclysisRelated Information X-ray(Medical Test)Malabsorption(Condition)Intestinal obstruction and Ileus(Condition)Crohn disease(Condition)Upper GI and small bowel series(Medical Test)Barium enema(Medical Test)Crohn disease - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/20/2022 Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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EnteroclysisSmall bowel enema; CT enteroclysis; Small bowel follow-through; Barium enteroclysis; MR enteroclysisEnteroclysis is an imaging test of the small intestine. The test looks at how a liquid called contrast material moves through the small intestine. How the Test is Performed This test is done in a radiology department. Depending on the need, x-ray, CT scan, or MRI imaging is used.CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The test involves the following:The health care provider inserts a tube through your nose or mouth into your stomach and into the beginning of the small bowel. Contrast material and air flow through the tube, and images are taken. The provider can watch on a monitor as the contrast moves through the bowel.The goal of the study is to view all of the loops of small bowel. You may be asked to change positions during the exam. The test may last a few hours, because it takes a while for the contrast to move through all of the small bowel. How to Prepare for the Test Follow your provider's instructions on how to prepare for the test, which may include:Drinking clear liquids for at least 24 hours before the test. Not eating or drinking anything for several hours before the test. Your provider will tell you exactly how many hours. Taking laxatives to clear the bowels. Not taking certain medicines. Your provider will tell you which ones. DO NOT stop taking any medicines on your own. Ask your provider first.If you are anxious about the procedure, you may be given a sedative before it starts. You will be asked to remove all jewelry and wear a hospital gown. It is best to leave jewelry and other valuables at home. You will be asked to remove any removable dental work, such as appliances, bridges, or retainers.If you are, or think you're pregnant, tell the provider before the test. How the Test will Feel The placement of the tube may be uncomfortable. The contrast material may cause a feeling of abdominal fullness. Why the Test is Performed This test is performed to examine the small bowel. It is one way of telling if the small intestine is normal. Normal Results There are no problems seen with the size or shape of the small intestine. Contrast travels through the bowel at a normal rate without any sign of blockage. What Abnormal Results Mean Many problems of the small intestine can be found with enteroclysis. Some of these include:Inflammation of the small bowel (such as Crohn disease) Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Small bowel isn't absorbing nutrients normally (malabsorption) MalabsorptionMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Narrowing or stricture of the intestine Narrowing or stricture of the intestineIntestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Small bowel blockage Small bowel blockageIntestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tumors of the small intestine Risks The radiation exposure may be greater with this test than with other types of x-rays because of the length of time. But most experts feel that the risk is low compared to the benefits.Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of x-ray radiation. Rare complications of enteroclysis include:Allergic reactions to medicines prescribed for the test (your provider can tell you which medicines) Possible injury to bowel structures during the study Barium may cause constipation. Tell your provider if the barium has not passed through your system by 2 or 3 days after the test, or if you feel constipated.Open ReferencesReferencesAl Sarraf AA, McLaughlin PD, Maher MM. The small intestine, mesentery and peritoneal cavity. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 21.Thomas AC. Imaging the small bowel. In: Sahani DV, Samir AE, eds. Abdominal Imaging. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 24.