title: Perforation associated with barium enema in acute appendicitis.
abstract: A child with the suspected diagnosis of atypical acute appendicitis underwent a diagnostic barium enema. The study was complicated by perforation with leakage of a large amount of barium into the peritoneal cavity. The complex hospital course that resulted has prompted us to reevaluate the barium enema in the diagnosis of appendicitis and review the literature for contraindications. We conclude that this particular complication is extremely rare and that barium enema still has a part to play in some patients where the clinical diagnosis is uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor 48109-0252.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shust
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Blane
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Oldham
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001065:Appendix / Q000293:injuries*; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate