Small bowel radiography: how, when, and why?

Since the advent of endoscopy for evaluating the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tracts, it has become clear that only in the small bowel does barium radiography remain unchallenged. Regrettably, barium examination of the small bowel has traditionally been regarded by many radiologists as a study of minor importance. Small bowel follow-through techniques and enteroclysis methods differ in their diagnostic purpose, potential, and methods of performance. This review examines in detail the spectrum of barium examination techniques currently available for evaluating the small bowel. The benefits of enteroclysis in the majority of clinical situations requiring contrast examination of the small bowel are stressed. Radiologists play the crucial role in the diagnostic evaluation of the small bowel and should strive to refine and advance the accuracy of small bowel radiography.