what is the radiation risk associated with an upper gi, and 2 abdominal film x-rays could ab ultraound been ok

Question

Around a month ago, I had an upper gi series test with the barrium swallow. I also had two abdominal film x-rays and none of them had shields I read on the internet about an abdominal ultrasound and was wondering if it is as thorough as those other tests.

Answer 1

Your doctor wanted to evaluate your intestinal system. A UGI looks at the esophagus, stomach and part of the small bowel. A SBFT would evaluate all of the small bowel. An abdominal ultrasound only evaluates the solid organs. On an abdominal u/s, we can visualize the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and common bile duct, both kidneys, spleen, aorta and urinary bladder.

Ultrasound cannot see through air. Since everyone's bowel has air (gas, really) in it, ultrasound is not used to evaluate the intestinal tract. Modern technology has really drastically reduced the radiation dose a patient receives during x-ray studies. Improvements in the equipment, film, intensifying screen and even the developing process has cut the exposure rates.

"The effective radiation dose from this procedure is about 2 mSv, which is about the same as the average person receives from background radiation in eight months.....State-of-the-art x-ray systems have tightly controlled x-ray beams with significant filtration and dose control methods to minimize stray or scatter radiation. This ensures those parts of a patient's body not being imaged receive minimal radiation exposure."

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=uppergi

"Ultrasound waves are reflected by air or gas; therefore ultrasound is not an ideal imaging technique for the bowel. Barium exams and CT scanning are the methods of choice for bowel-related problems."

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=abdominus

Answer 2

The risks from diagnostic x-rays are minimal. Your Doctor made the decision that that was the exam you required. Ultrasound doesn't show the same thing as the UGI exam. Ultrasound would be for problems with the liver, pancreas, spleen or kidneys. It would not work for ulcers, intestinal blockage, reflux disease, hiatal hernia etc. Your Doctor knows you symptoms and test results and is the one to make the decision on what exams you require.

Answer 3

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