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double-contrast barium enema

(DUH-bul-KON-trast BAYR-ee-um EH-neh-muh)
A procedure in which x-rays of the colon and rectum are taken after a liquid containing barium is put into the rectum. Barium is a silver-white metallic compound that outlines the colon and rectum on an x-ray and helps show abnormalities. Air is put into the rectum and colon to further enhance the x-ray.
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