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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: A barium enema examination or lower GI series is an x-ray procedure used to visualize the interior anatomy of your large intestine or colon and rectum. Your digestive tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and the rectum. Food travels down the digestive tract in this order. The main functions of the colon are to absorb water into the body, change liquid waste material into solid waste material known as feces, and store feces until enough accumulates to be passed from the anus as a bowel movement. Abnormal conditions may develop in your colon, such as colon cancer, polyps, outpouchings of the colon wall called diverticula, ulcers, or narrowed areas known as strictures. If you develop unexplained bleeding, abdominal pain, or change in your bowel habits, your doctor may recommend you get a barium enema examination. Before the procedure, you'll be asked to lie down on an x-ray table. A lubricated tube will be carefully inserted into your rectum. A bag containing barium will be attached to the tube and the barium will be allowed to flow into your colon. When enough barium has flowed into your colon, you'll be asked to try very hard not to expel any of it while x-rays are taken. A tiny balloon attached to the tubing that carries the barium may be inflated to prevent any barium from leaking out during the exam. While the x-ray pictures are being taken, you'll be asked to roll from side to side or to stand up. This lets the barium flow to different areas so that sufficient x-ray images can be obtained of your entire colon. After many x-ray pictures are taken, you'll be given a bedpan or taken to a bathroom and asked to expel as much of the barium as possible. A few more x-rays may be taken after you have passed most of the barium out of your colon because the small remaining amount of barium clearly illuminates the outline of your colon. After your barium enema, you can go home. You will most likely be able to resume your normal diet. Most radiologists instruct patients to increase their fluid intake for a period of time to be certain all of the barium is passed. You will likely notice more gas than usual, and see barium in the next several bowel movements that you pass.
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Robert F. Linton, Jr.
Linton & Hirshman
Cleveland, OH
"Medical illustrations are essential during trial for any medical malpractice case. The people at MLA have the uncanny ability of creating medical illustrations that simplify the most complex of medical concepts and human anatomy to a lay audience. The exhibits of MLA allow experts to easily describe complex concepts and human anatomy in a manner that could
not be done otherwise.
In addition, their custom illustrations show in great detail the extent of
injuries suffered and the devastating effects they have had on the client's
anatomy. These custom illustration can show, side by side, the body before
and after a catastrophic injury. The effect of this juxtaposition is
unmatched by any testimony that can be adduced at the time of trial.
Even jurors after trial have commented on the ease with which they grasp
medical concepts and anatomy once the MLA exhibits were introduced and
used by my experts. Even judges who have "seen it all" are thoroughly
impressed by the detail and sophistication of the illustrations.
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all those you employ, from KJ to Ben B. I've been especially pleased over
the years with the work of Brian and Alice, both of whom seem to tolerate my
idiosycratic compulsion to edit, but I've not found a bad apple in the bunch
(and, as you know, I've used your firm a bunch!).
I look forward to our continued professional relationship."
Kenneth J. Allen Kenneth Allen & Associates
Valparaiso, IN
"It is my experience that it's much more effective to show a jury what
happened than simply to tell a jury what happened. In this day and age where
people are used to getting information visually, through television and
other visual media, I would be at a disadvantage using only words.
I teach a Litigation Process class at the University of Baltimore Law Schooland use [Medical Legal Art's] animation in my class. Students always saythat they never really understood what happened to [to my client] until theysaw the animation.
Animations are powerful communication tools that should be used wheneverpossible to persuade juries."
Andrew G. Slutkin Snyder Slutkin & Kopec Baltimore, MD
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.