A case of descending colon perforation by barium sulfate

Abstract

We report a case of perforation of the descending colon by barium sulfate.
The patient consulted our hospital because of abdominal pain. She had undergone a barium study for a gastric cancer screening 2 days earlier. Subileus because of barium sulfate was diagnosed. On day 3, we decided to perform a laparotomy because her pain persisted and found a perforation of the descending colon.
Perforation by barium sulfate is very rare, but surgical treatment can be considered in such cases on the basis of clinical findings.