Barium or gastrographin swallow

This is a specialist test used to examine the oesophagus. It requires patients to swallow radiopaque contrast (Liquid that can be seen on x-rays) whilst x-rays are taken. It is sometimes used to assess swallowing, or on occasional as an alternative investigation to gastroscopy. Whilst this investigation allows an assessment of function and will enable health professionals to identify most narrowings within the gullet it does not enable good views of the mucosa, therapeutic intervention or the taking of biopsies.