Abstract
Although fluoroscopy of the stomach with barium is a routine examination method, it occasionally causes barium peritonitis as a result of perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. We recently experienced a case in a 76-year-old female suffering from a sigmoid colon perforation that occurred four days after stomach fluoroscopy. Because no organic diseases such as cancer and diverticulum were recognized in the large intestine, the cause of perforation was thought to be enema to alleviate delayed barium excretion.
We performed intraperitoneal irrigation and drainage to close the perforation and transverse colostomy. In Japan, this is the twenty-first reported case of perforation of the large intestine subsequent to stomach fluoroscopy. The symptom usually occurs three to five days after fluoroscopy. Following fluoroscopy it is important to confirm barium excretion.
We also discussed the treatment and prevention of barium peritonitis resulting from perforation of the large intestine.
