A barium enema is a rectal injection of barium contrast. This coats the lining of the colon and rectum and X-ray films are obtained under fluoroscopic control. Air introduced into the large bowel may be used to give a double-contrast technique. Barium enemas are performed much less often than in the past because of the increasing use of colonoscopy and CT colonography.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/gastroenterology/barium-enema-examination