Clearance of barium from the oesophagus with diet cola and metoclopramide: a one stop approach to patients with dysphagia.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a "one-stop" dysphagia service in which a consultation, barium swallow and endoscopy can all be performed in the same hospital visit.


METHODS
In order to allow both barium swallow examination and endoscopy to be performed on the same day, a novel technique for clearing barium from the upper gastrointestinal tract was established. Following the barium swallow examination, patients were given diet cola and metoclopramide syrup. If appropriate, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was then performed shortly afterwards. The service was piloted for 6 months in which time 25 patients were investigated in this way.


RESULTS
All patients were seen within 2 weeks of referral. The mean time between barium swallow and endoscopy was 3 h 38 min (range, 1 h 50 min to 5 h 20 min). In all 24 patients in whom an endoscopy was performed, barium had been satisfactorily cleared from the oesophagus and stomach.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique allows both barium swallow and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to be performed on the same day, providing a rapid, safe and accurate diagnosis with minimum patient inconvenience. Mitchell, J., (2001). Clinical Radiology56, 64-66
Mitchell
J
J
Gastrointestinal Unit, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, U.K.
Farrow
R
R
Hussaini
S H
SH
Dalton
H R
HR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D008787:Metoclopramide