Why it's done

In the past, doctors used barium enema to investigate the cause of abdominal symptoms. But this test has mostly been replaced by newer imaging tests that are more accurate, such as CT scans.

In the past, your doctor may have recommended a barium enema to determine the cause of signs and symptoms, such as the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic diarrhea
• Persistent constipation

Similarly, a barium enema X-ray previously may have been ordered by your doctor to detect such conditions as:

• Abnormal growths (polyps) as part of colorectal cancer screening
• Inflammatory bowel disease