X-Ray and Other Imaging Contrast Studies of the Gastrointestinal Tract By Jonathan Gotfried, MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Reviewed / Revised Mar 2023 View Patient Education X-Ray Contrast Studies of the Abdomen CT Scanning of the Abdomen Topic Resources Barium Enema Showing Ulceration... Double-Contrast Barium Enema... Enteroclysis Showing Normal... CT Colonography Showing Normal... X-Ray Contrast Studies of the Abdomen X-ray and other imaging contrast studies visualize the entire gastrointestinal tract from pharynx to rectum and are most useful for detecting mass lesions and structural abnormalities (eg, tumors, strictures).