Question:
“I am confused about when is it appropriate to order an Esophagram instead of a Barium Swallow or an Upper GI exam?”

Dr. Yoler Response:
To start, an esophagram and a barium swallow are two names fro the same examination. With that established let’s look closer at this question. It has been a practice for some physicians to order both an esophagram and an Upper Gastrointestinal Study (UGI) on patients, particularly those who have symptoms suggesting gastroesophageal reflux. This is not necessary.

An UGI includes everything from the mouth all the way to the small bowel just beyond the Ligament of Treitz. Therefore, when we do an UGI examination, we thoroughly examine the esophagus, we look for a hiatal hernia and esophageal reflux. Any time we would see anything in the esophagus that would require documentation, spot filming and/or overhead filming would be obtained, just as it would if we saw something in the stomach or duodenal bulb.

MORE >> Dr. Yoler's Complete Response (PDF)

Ask a Radiologist Archive

September 2008 Question:
“I am confused about when is it appropriate to order an Esophagram instead of a Barium Swallow or an Upper GI exam?”
Dr. Yoler's Complete Response (PDF)