X-ray examinations are used in many branches of medicine. X-ray examinations provide the most accurate results and allow us to understand the picture of the disease. An experienced doctor will immediately identify gastritis on an x-ray and will be able to suggest a further plan of action. The website gastritinform.ru presents photographs obtained during x-ray studies of patients with gastritis and other gastrointestinal diseases. You will also learn how x-rays are performed for chronic gastritis. What is a stomach X-ray, how to do an X-ray for gastritis, decoding an X-ray for gastritis, read more gastritinfo.com.
- What is a stomach X-ray
- Types of stomach X-rays
- X-ray contrast imaging for gastritis
- Stomach X-ray for gastritis: features of the procedure
- Indications for stomach X-ray
- Contraindications for examination
- How to do an X-ray of the stomach with gastritis
- Stomach diseases on X-ray: photos and description
- X-ray contrast imaging for gastritis: decoding the results
What is a stomach X-ray
X-ray examination of the stomach is a way to diagnose numerous diseases and functional disorders: peptic ulcers, benign and malignant neoplasms, diverticula (protrusion of the organ wall in the form of a bag). Using radiography, you can evaluate the shape and size of the stomach and its parts, the position, functional state of the sphincters (circular muscles in the thickness of the stomach wall that, when compressed, separate the stomach cavity from the cavity of the esophagus and duodenum), the integrity of the wall and much more.
The stomach is a hollow organ, so to obtain a better image, contrast is used – filling it with a substance that does not transmit x-rays (most often barium salts suspended in water). Gas is also used as a contrast. There is a double contrast method, when in addition to barium salts, air is introduced under pressure into the stomach. The stomach swells, the contrast fills all the folds of the mucous membrane – this makes it possible to more carefully evaluate its relief.
Fluoroscopy is a study in which an image of the contours of the stomach filled with contrast is projected in real time onto a special screen. The study allows you to evaluate the dynamics of the passage of the contrast agent through the esophagus, to see how it enters the stomach cavity, how it enters the duodenum in small portions.
Types of stomach X-rays
This diagnostic method is based on the ability of different tissues and organ structures to transmit ionizing radiation differently. As X-rays pass through the human body, the resulting image is displayed on film or a monitor. Those tissues that reflect the rays appear lighter (bone structures, spine or ribs), and those that transmit the rays appear darker (air). The image is black and white, it clearly shows the location of the stomach, its size and shape, and the presence of visible deformations.
X-ray contrast imaging for gastritis
The stomach is a cavity organ, therefore, during X-ray examination, specialists almost always give preference to its type – diagnostics with a contrast agent. To do this, a barium suspension is introduced into the patient’s body, which fills the entire cavity of the organ and its folds. Based on the nature of its distribution, various pathologies are diagnosed.
When examining the stomach with contrast, not only radiography with printing several images at certain intervals can be used. Fluoroscopy is also used – a real-time image of the stomach is displayed on the screen. With this study, the doctor has the opportunity to observe how the contrast is distributed in the stomach cavity, how its sphincters and muscle wall work, which provides enormous opportunities for diagnosis.
Stomach X-ray for gastritis: features of the procedure
At the time of the x-ray, the patient needs to remove metal jewelry, glasses, watches, and other foreign objects. Before the procedure, as well as during it, the subject of the examination, as directed by the doctor, drinks a barium suspension (a thick liquid that has a pronounced chalk taste).
During the manipulation, an X-ray machine allows you to observe and record in photographs the movement of contrast along the digestive tract. Periodically, the patient should take a deep breath/hold his breath.
At the first stage, the patient is in a standing position, then must lie down on a special couch. The radiologist may sometimes approach and apply gentle pressure on the abdomen to help distribute the barium mixture evenly in the stomach. The duration of the procedure can be 20 minutes or more.
After an X-ray of the stomach, patients are advised to drink plenty of fluids (more than 1.5 liters of fluid per day). This is necessary to remove the contrast. Doctors warn that for some time the stool will have a light (almost white) tint, and constipation is also likely.
Indications for stomach X-ray
- suspected gastric ulcer;
- suspicion of a tumor process;
- malformations of the stomach;
- diverticula (protrusion of the wall in the form of a bag) and other deformities;
- inflammatory diseases;
- clinical symptoms (impaired swallowing, pain in the navel, blood in the stool, heartburn, belching, unreasonable weight loss, anemia).
Contraindications for examination
- serious condition of the patient;
- pregnancy (first trimester – especially);
- ongoing gastric (esophageal) bleeding;
However, all of the listed contraindications (except the last one) are relative, i.e. if it is possible to conduct another more gentle study that allows you to obtain a sufficient amount of the necessary information (for example, fibrogastroscopy), radiography (scopy) can be abandoned.
How to do an X-ray of the stomach with gastritis
Before the examination, the stomach must be free of food masses, so the planned examination is carried out in the morning and on an empty stomach. The minimum number of hours before the x-ray during which you cannot drink or eat is eight. In addition, the day before the diagnosis, you should not eat foods that stimulate gas formation. These are legumes, cabbage, cucumbers, potatoes, dairy products, spices, coffee, chocolate. If emergency diagnosis is necessary, the patient’s stomach is first washed.
In most cases, a plain radiography of the abdominal organs is performed first. Using it, the doctor determines the size and shape of the stomach, its relationship with neighboring organs. Then the patient drinks a barium mixture, which tastes like chalk and is absolutely safe for the body. After some time, the patient is placed in an X-ray machine, where the production of images begins. They are done in a lying position on your side, on your stomach and back, as well as standing, which allows the contrast agent to be distributed evenly and the doctor to receive reliable information.
Stomach diseases on X-ray: photos and description
X-ray contrast imaging for gastritis: decoding the results
If the stomach is healthy and has no organic pathology or functional disorders, then on the x-ray it looks like a “hook” or “horn”, which is filled with barium with uniform density and has smooth outlines. But if organ pathology is present, then the following radiological criteria can help in its diagnosis:
- violation of the localization of the stomach, more often its displacement or descent downwards (gastroptosis), which is possible with diaphragmatic hernias or injuries;
- an increase or decrease in the volume of the stomach cavity, observed with diverticula or tumors;
- uneven distribution of the contrast mixture along the wall of the stomach, which looks like a “niche” (in case of ulcerative pathology) or as a “filling defect”, that is, a kind of bulge (in case of neoplasms, polyps, foreign body).
Data from an X-ray examination of the stomach are decisive in the diagnosis of gastric pathologies. Its timely implementation and competent interpretation of the results allow the patient to begin treatment on time, preserve his health and often his life.