Colorectal perforation following barium examination in children
EA Ameh, ND Chom
Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
E A Ameh Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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Barium contrast study is a frequently performed investigation in children, but colorectal perforation complicating the procedure is uncommon. A 2-month-old boy suspected of having Hirschsprung s disease developed an intraperitoneal rectal perforation following barium enema for which repair and diversion colostomy was performed. Another 4-year-old boy with Hirschsprung s disease and a transverse colostomy developed a colorectal perforation during distal colostogram using barium and was managed non-operatively. Both patients are well. The management of this uncommon complication is discussed.