What is the difference between barium swallow upper GI series and small bowel follow through (SBFT)?
All three refer to a radiographic examination in which the patient ingests a radiopaque contrast medium, typically barium.
Unlike a barium swallow, an upper GI series does not evaluate swallowing and also includes evaluation of the stomach and duodenum in addition to the esophagus.
A SBFT solely focuses on the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum without evaluation of the esophagus or stomach.
An upper GI series is an examination of the esophagus and stomach using barium to coat the walls of the upper digestive tract so that it may be examined under X-ray.
An upper GI that focuses on the esophagus is also known as a barium swallow. Barium swallows and upper GI series are used to identify any abnormalities such as tumors, ulcers, hernias, pouches, strictures, and swallowing difficulties.
