From the Research
An upper gastrointestinal (GI) series with contrast typically takes between 1 to 3 hours to complete. The exact duration depends on how quickly the contrast material (usually barium sulfate) moves through your digestive tract and whether additional imaging is needed. The procedure begins with drinking the contrast solution, followed by a series of X-ray images taken as the contrast moves through your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. For a standard upper GI series focusing on the esophagus and stomach, the procedure may take about 1 hour. If a small bowel follow-through is included to examine the entire small intestine, the procedure can extend to 2-3 hours as technicians must wait for the contrast to travel through the small intestine. Factors that can affect the duration include your digestive system's motility, whether you have any structural abnormalities, and the specific diagnostic goals of the examination. Patients should plan to spend at least half a day at the medical facility to account for preparation time, the procedure itself, and a brief recovery period afterward.
Some key points to consider when undergoing an upper GI series with contrast include:
- The use of barium sulfate as a contrast agent, which can be used in single-contrast or double-contrast studies 1
- The importance of proper preparation and patient cooperation to ensure optimal imaging results 2
- The potential for additional imaging or procedures, such as endoscopy, to be performed in conjunction with the upper GI series 3, 4
- The variation in procedure duration and diagnostic goals depending on the specific clinical context and patient needs.
It's worth noting that while the provided evidence does not directly address the duration of an upper GI series with contrast, studies such as 3 and 4 highlight the importance of imaging modalities in diagnosing upper GI tract diseases, which can inform the approach to and duration of an upper GI series. However, the most relevant information for estimating the procedure duration comes from general knowledge of the procedure and its variations, rather than the specific details of the cited studies.