Complications of radiographer performed double contrast barium enema examinations

Abstract

Aim: To determine the complication rate from radiographer performed double contrast barium enema examinations.Method: Questionnaires were sent to radiographers who had attended a barium enema training course to determine the complications encountered during a 3-year period.Results: A total of 444 questionnaires were posted and 250 (56.3%) were returned completed. These radiographers had performed approximately 134700 examinations. Fifty-four complications were reported including 20 cardiac events, 10 intraperitoneal and six extraperitoneal perforations. There were three deaths resulting in an overall mortality rate of one in 44900; two deaths were from cardiac complications and one was from bowel perforation.Conclusions: The mortality rate for radiographer performed examinations is similar to that previously reported for examinations performed by radiologists. The rate of cardiac deaths is similar but the bowel perforation rate may be higher. Training should concentrate on minimizing the risk of perforation, which can result from the generation of excessive intracolonic pressures, excessive colonic distension and the use of rectal balloon catheters.