Small intestine cancer x ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Qurrat-ul-ain Abid, M.D.[2], Parminder Dhingra, M.D. [3]

X-ray images may be taken after barium swallow to see the lesions in small intestine. It may show filling defects, mucosal distortion and barium hold up if tumor of small intestine is present.

• X-ray is used to visualize GI tract with or without barium swallow. However, the findings are usually indeterminate.^[1]
• X-ray films are taken after barium swallow and barium enema to visualize the lesion of intestine, however, they are not sensitive at detecting small intestinal cancer until very advanced stage.
• Upper GI shows features of mucosal pattern distortion, obliteration, and narrowing. Delayed images may show hold up of barium at the site of the lesion.
• In case of very advance tumor causing obstruction of small intestine, X-ray film may show typical “step ladder pattern” of air in obstruction.

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