Difference between total gastrointestinal barium meal and enteroscopy

The differences between total digestive tract barium meal and colonoscopy include different examination scope, different examination purposes, different examination procedures, etc.

1. Different examination scope

Total digestive tract barium meal mainly examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, and colonoscopy is mainly used to examine the colon, rectum, small intestine and other parts.

2. Different examination purposes

Total digestive tract barium meal is mainly used to examine the structural and functional abnormalities of the upper digestive tract, such as esophageal inflammation, esophageal hiatus hernia, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, etc., while colonoscopy is mainly used to examine the colon and rectum, and is used for early screening and diagnosis of colon diseases such as colon cancer, polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease.

3. Different examination procedures

Total digestive tract barium meal is a non-invasive examination. By taking a special barium agent orally and combining it with X-ray observation, patients usually need to be examined at a medical institution. Colonoscopy is an invasive examination that requires an endoscope to be inserted into the anus and into the colon. Patients usually perform the examination under general or local anesthesia.