The purpose of this exhibit is:(1) To review the reasons for the continuing decline in barium studies and its effects on the quality procedures,(2) Evaluate the role of barium studies in the diagnosis gastrointestinal pathologies and evidence based role of barium studies in modern medical practice,(3) To propose strategies for invigorating the barium studies in the present era.

As imaging has evolved, we see two possible scenarios for the future of barium radiology:The decline in GI CINE procedures could continue and even accelerate, as the barium study becomes an increasingly obsolete tool in radiology practice, or, alternatively, the volume of GI FLURO procedures could become constant and even augment.we evaluated the audit data over 15yrs. The data was divided into four groups, barium swallows, barium meals, brium meal follow through, enteroclysis, barium enema.The trends over the period was reviewed and analysis was done.

There has been a slow but steady decline in the number of barium studies performed in the India during the past 15 years.The major decline seen was in enema studies and meal studies. Surprisingly there was a slight increase in the number of swallow studies.The reason is variety of factors, including the ever-increasing accessibility of endoscopy and sophisticated cross-sectional imaging modalities such as CT and MRI.The dedicated small bowel follow-through has been replaced to a lesser degree by abdominal CT and, more recently, by CT...

Although endoscopy is a valuable test for assessing mucosal disease in the GI tract, barium studies have a clear advantage over endoscopy for evaluating submucosal and extrinsic mass lesions and for assessing GI function and motility from the pharynx to the anorectal junction. The barium study is also indispensable for clarifying uncertain findings at endoscopy or CT. If, hypothetically, the barium study was no longer available, these equivocal cases could be major diagnostic dilemmas.The esophagogram is a safe, noninvasive, and relatively inexpensive global examination for...

In conclusion, our aim to preserve the age old technique of barium studies not only to keep it going on but for the betterment and appropriate management of the patient.Our goal is not to “save” barium studies simply to keep this technology alive, per se, but rather to preserve barium radiology for the quality of patient care.

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Author details:Dr. Abhishek Mahajan, MBBS,MDFellow in Cancer ImagingDept of Radiodiagnosis & ImagingTata Memorial HospitalDr E Borges RoadParelMumbaiMaharashtra400 012India(+919920354764)[email protected]