Barium appendicitis after upper gastrointestinal imaging.
BACKGROUND
Barium appendicitis (BA) is a rarely seen entity with fewer than 30 reports in the literature. However, it is a known complication of barium imaging.


OBJECTIVE
To report a case of BA in a patient whose computed tomography (CT) scan was initially read as foreign body ingestion.


METHODS
An 18-year-old man presented with right lower quadrant pain after upper gastrointestinal imaging 2 weeks prior. A CT scan was obtained of his abdomen and pelvis that revealed a finding that was interpreted as a foreign body at the area of the terminal ileum. A plain X-ray study of the abdomen revealed radiopaque appendicoliths. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of barium appendicitis.


CONCLUSIONS
BA is a rare entity and the pathogenesis is unclear. Shorter intervals between barium study and presentation with appendicitis usually correlate with fewer complications.
Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Nathan M
NM
Novotny
Keith D
KD
Lillemoe
Mark E
ME
Falimirski
D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000601:surgery; D001464:Barium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001465:Barium Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis*
D001465:Barium Radioisotopes; D001464:Barium