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contrast esophagram

(KON-trast ee-SAH-fuh-gram)
A series of x-ray pictures of the esophagus taken after a patient drinks a liquid containing barium sulfate (a form of the silver-white metallic element barium). The barium sulfate coats and outlines the inner wall of the esophagus so that it can be seen on the x-ray pictures. Also called esophagram.
Barium swallow; drawing shows barium liquid flowing down the esophagus and into the stomach. The barium coats and outlines the inside of the esophagus and stomach. The inset x-ray image shows a narrowing at the end of the esophagus caused by cancer.Enlarge this image in new window
Barium swallow for esophageal cancer. The patient drinks a liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound). The barium coats and outlines the inside of the esophagus and stomach. This allows abnormal areas, such as esophageal cancer, to be seen on x-rays.
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