What is Defecogram?
Defecography is a dynamic fluoroscopic procedure used for evaluation of pelvic floor, anorectal muscle contractions and relaxation (sphincters), and certain structural abnormalities. During the examination, the patient's rectum is filled with soft barium paste. The patient then sits on a toilet positioned inside an X-ray machine, and different maneuvers are performed.
How do I prepare for the exam?
Purchase two Fleet enemas from the pharmacy (no prescription needed) and use both in succession on the morning of the exam.
Arrive to the hospital one and a half hour prior to the appointment. At the time of the study, you will change into the hospital gown. You will be asked to remove jewelry or objects that may interfere with the procedure.
What can I expect during the exam?
After you have changed, the technologist will walk you to the fluoroscopy suite. The technologist will then explain the procedure in detail. Preliminary X-rays may be taken.
The radiologist comes and introduces himself or herself, checks the preliminary X-rays, and then talks to you about medical history and discusses the indication of the examination.
You will be given a cup of barium one hour before exam begins. Two views of pelvis are taken. For the barium enema portion, a rounded flex tip is placed in the rectum and balloon is inflated. Barium is allowed to flow into the colon via the tube. Barium paste will be inserted into the rectum and vagina. You will then be seated on the chair, which is positioned inside an X-ray machine. You will be asked to perform various maneuvers, including squeeze, valsalva and defecation.
What are aftercare instructions?
Barium can be constipating, so it is important to drink plenty of fluids to wash the barium out of your system. You can immediately resume your regular diet. Your stool may be whitish because of barium.
Radiologyinfo.org for Patients
The radiology information resource for patients. RadiologyInfo.org tells you how various X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, radiation therapy and other procedures are performed. It also addresses what you may experience and how to prepare for the exams. The website contains over 200 procedure, exam and disease descriptions covering diagnostic and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and radiation safety and is updated frequently with new information. All material on the RadiologyInfo.org website is reviewed and approved by experts in the field of radiology from the ACR and RSNA, as well as other professional radiology organizations.