Abstract
The use of barium enema study has decreased as lower GI endoscopy becomes more prevalent. However, it is still used in several clinical settings given benefits of sedation avoidance, less invasiveness and low cost. Even though barium enema is a relatively safe study, complications may result in rare cases. Colonic perforation is the most frequent serious complication, occurring in 0.02 to 0.04% of patients. Extra peritoneal perforation is usually less catastrophic than intra peritoneal perforation, but may result in pain, abscess, rectal stricture or fistula. The risk factors for complication are a recent colonoscopy especially with biopsy, impaired tensile strength of the bowel wall due to age, overinflation of the balloon and trauma from the enema.
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