Barium enema

Alternative names:

lower gastrointestinal series

What the risks are:

There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the X-ray.

A more serious risk is a perforated colon, which is very rare.

Special considerations:

CT scans and ultrasounds are now the tests of choice for the initial evaluation of abdominal masses.