100204 Proc to Gram

Radiology Department
Proctogram
examination
Information for patients
Proctogram examination
The X-ray department has received a request for you to have a
Proctogram examination. This leaflet tells you the purpose of
the examination, what’s involved and what the risks are. We will
also send you an appointment letter which will tell you where to
go for your appointment.
• If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know as

soon as possible. Please telephone us onthe number on the
front of your appointment letter.
• If you are female and of childbearing age, i.e. up to 55 years
of age, we will ask you to complete a form asking about the
dates of your periods. (You may already have done this.) This
is because the examination should usually only be performed
when we can be sure that you are not pregnant. Please
complete and return this form as soon as possible so that we
can give you an appropriate appointment date.
• If you weigh more than 146 kg or 23 stone, please tell us

immediately.
If you need hospital transport to reach the hospital, please

tell us as soon as possible.
Page 2
What is a Proctogram examination?
This is an X-ray examination which produces a series of images
which show how your bottom functions during emptying of
your bowels. The purpose of the test is to try to find out what
may be causing your symptoms (e.g. incontinence or difficulty in
passing stool).
Can I bring a relative or friend?

Yes, but for reasons of safety they will not be able to accompany
you into the X-ray room except in very special circumstances.
Are there any risks?

• Exposure to radiation: This is a low dose examination and the
amount of radiation is kept to a minimum. This is equivalent
to the amount of background radiation that you naturally
receive over 3-5 weeks.
• There is a very small risk (1 in 2000 patients) of a small tear in

the lining of the rectum. This usually occurs only if the patient
also has severe bowel inflammation.
Your doctor has recommended this examination because he/she

feels that the benefits are greater than the risk of not having the
examination. Even so, this test cannot be guaranteed to detect
all abnormalities in the back passage.
What happens at home before the

examination?
There is no additional preparation or special dietary requirements
needed before the examination.
Page 3
What happens during the examination?
The procedure usually lasts about 2 hours but you may be at the
hospital longer if we need to see emergency patients.
You will be asked to drink a quantity of some special liquid called

barium for an hour and a half before the examination. The
barium shows up on the X-ray and allows us to see your small
bowel during the examination.
You will be asked to go into a cubicle and change into a hospital

gown to make sure that no metal coins/objects are seen on the
pictures.
When you are ready, a radiographer and doctor/specialist

radiographer will enter the cubicle and you will be asked to
lie on your side on the couch provided. Some Barium paste
(similar consistency to toothpaste) will be inserted into your back
passage using a soft tube. The Barium paste helps to highlight
more of your lower bowel. If you are female, we may insert
some dye into your vagina which highlights this area on X-ray
and allows us to see everything in more detail.
We will then take you into the X-ray room where we will ask you
to sit on a specially designed commode (like a toilet) surrounded
by a modesty curtain.
Once you feel comfortable, a low dose X-ray is taken in three

stages. First, an image is taken at rest. Then we will ask you to
squeeze hold of the barium in the bottom. Finally we will ask
you to empty your bowels.
We fully appreciate that this procedure requires privacy and we

will make every effort to make you feel relaxed and comfortable.
Page 4
Will it be uncomfortable/ painful?
You should not feel any pain and, apart from having to remain
still for a short while, you should experience no discomfort.
Side effects and what happens after the

examination?
• Drink plenty of fluids (several glasses of water each day to
quench thirst). The barium will make your motions whitish
for the next few days and can constipate you. Therefore,
keep drinking extra until your stools are no longer whiter than
your normal. It is important to wash away the barium inside
your bowel so that it does not harden inside you and cause
constipation or even block the toilet!
• Eating a high fibre diet like bran or wholemeal bread can help
but the main thing is to drink plenty of fluids.
• If you have problems with your heart or water retention, you

may not be able to drink this much safely. If in doubt or you
find you become breathless or your legs swell up, contact your
GP.
• The dye in your vagina will come out naturally so you may
want to wear sanitary pads for the next couple of days. It will
look like a clear or whitish discharge.
Page 5
When and how will I know the result of
the examination?
The pictures of your bowel will be examined by the radiologist,
who will then send a report of the results to the person who
referred you.
The result will be sent out to the doctor/consultant from the

outpatient department who referred you and will be there in
time for your next outpatient appointment. If you do not yet
have another outpatient appointment and do not hear anything
within three weeks, you should telephone the consultant’s
secretary for advice.
Questions or concerns
If you have any questions you can telephone us on the number
on the front of your appointment letter.
Page 6
Further information
Further information can be found on the following websites:
www.rcr.ac.uk (Royal College of Radiologists)
www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/forpatients/departments/
departments.aspx
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Page 7
If you need an interpreter or need a document in
another language, large print, Braille or audio version,
please call 01865 221473. When we receive your call
we may transfer you to an interpreter. This can take
some time, so please be patient.
Carol Picking, Gastrointestinal Advanced Practitioner

Dr Helen Bungay, Gastrointestinal Consultant Radiologist
Version 1, November 2009
Review November 2012
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust
Oxford OX3 9DU
OMI 1119

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Radiology Department

• If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know as

• If you weigh more than 146 kg or 23 stone, please tell us

If you need hospital transport to reach the hospital, please

Can I bring a relative or friend?

Are there any risks?

• There is a very small risk (1 in 2000 patients) of a small tear in

Your doctor has recommended this examination because he/she

What happens at home before the

You will be asked to drink a quantity of some special liquid called

You will be asked to go into a cubicle and change into a hospital

When you are ready, a radiographer and doctor/specialist

Once you feel comfortable, a low dose X-ray is taken in three

We fully appreciate that this procedure requires privacy and we

Side effects and what happens after the

• If you have problems with your heart or water retention, you

The result will be sent out to the doctor/consultant from the

Carol Picking, Gastrointestinal Advanced Practitioner

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