David Joseph Di Santis MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Analysis of the current nationwide volume of GI fluoroscopy procedures to determine if barium is indeed passe.

Medicare data tables from 2001 and 2005 were analyzed regarding GI fluoroscopic procedure totals (barium swallows, upper GI's, small bowel studies, barium enemas). These numbers provide a basis for estimating total nationwide utilization.

Approximately 4.5 million GI fluoroscopic procedures were performed in the United States in 2005, decreased from 5.4 million in 2001. Swallowing function studies and esophagograms have increased, while upper GI and barium enema studies have decreased.

While the overall number of GI fluoroscopic procedures continues to decrease, it remains quite substantial on a nationwide basis, with some studies actually increasing.

GI fluoroscopy remains relevant, since barium's epitaph may be a bit premature.

Di Santis, D, Barium: Why Bother?.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5012071.html