Steroid Pulse Therapy for Barium Peritonitis due to Colonic Perforation after Fluoroscopy of the Stomach

Abstract

Colorectal perforation is a rare and severe complication of barium fluoroscopy of the stomach. Prolonged postoperative inflammation due to remnant barium in the abdominal cavity can be severe. A 44-year-old woman was diagnosed as having sigmoid colon perforation and barium peritonitis 2 days after she underwent gastrography. At emergency laparotomy, dirty ascites and barium were noted in the abdominal cavity. Extensive peritoneal lavage with warm saline was performed following colostomy. Steroid pulse therapy was given to prevent severe and prolonged postoperative inflammation. Her postoperative course was good, with no complications.