Radiographic Technique 2: Barium Meal and Contrast Media

This set covers key vocabulary from the Barium Meal and Contrast Media lectures, including procedural terms, contrast properties, and emergency management.

Barium Meal

A radiographic examination of the distal esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a radiopaque contrast medium (Barium) to study form and function.

Contrast Media (CM)

Diagnostic agents introduced into body orifices or injected into the vascular system to enhance subject contrast by increasing the atomic number of the area.

Radiolucent (Negative) CM

Contrast agents with low atomic numbers (e.g., air, $CO_2$) that allow X-rays to pass through, appearing dark on radiographs.

Radiopaque (Positive) CM

Contrast agents with high atomic numbers (e.g., Barium $Z=56$, Iodine $Z=53$) that absorb X-rays, appearing light on radiographs.

Double Contrast BA Meal

A technique using both Barium (positive) and air/$CO_2$ (negative) to provide a better mucosal coating and visualization of the stomach.

Bezoar

A mass of undigested material (such as hair or vegetable fiber) that accumulates and gets trapped in the stomach, potentially causing a blockage.

NPO (Nil Per Os)

A patient preparation requirement meaning 'nothing by mouth'; typically 8 hours for adults before a BA meal to ensure an empty stomach.

Buscopan (Butylscopolamine)

A muscle relaxant used during GI procedures to relax the stomach and inhibit peristalsis for better imaging.

Valsalva Manoeuvre

A technique where a patient inhales and bears down against a closed glottis to increase intra-abdominal pressure, useful in identifying hiatal hernias or reflux.

Ionic Contrast Media

High-osmolality contrast that dissociates into charged particles (cations and anions) in water; generally cheaper but carries a higher risk of adverse reactions.

Non-Ionic Contrast Media

Low-osmolality contrast that does not dissociate into particles; it is more expensive but produces fewer adverse reactions.

Viscosity

A measure of a fluid's thickness or resistance to flow; greater viscosity makes contrast harder to inject and can be mitigated by warming the agent to $37^{\circ}C$.

Osmolality

A measure of the total number of particles in a solution; high osmolality in CM can upset homeostasis and cause fluid shifts.

Extravasation

The leakage of contrast media from the intravascular compartment into the surrounding soft tissues.

Anaphylactoid Reaction

An immediate, non-allergic hypersensitivity reaction to contrast media that manifests with symptoms like hives, wheezing, or hypotension.

Vasovagal Reaction

A nervous system response to a procedure causing a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, often resulting in pallor, sweating, and fainting.

CI-AKI

Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury; a specific deterioration in renal function caused by the intravascular administration of iodinated contrast.

Metformin

An oral anti-hyperglycemic agent that must be managed carefully with iodinated contrast due to the risk of lactic acidosis if the patient develops AKI.

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)

A rare, systemic fibrosing disease associated with Gadolinium-based contrast in patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR < 30\,mL/min/1.73\,m^2).

Emergency Trolley

A mobile unit equipped with a defibrillator, oxygen, suction, and medications (e.g., Epinephrine, Atropine) to manage acute contrast reactions.