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Chronic barium peritonitis and small bowel obstruction

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Bowel obstruction as a child with barium leak following a radiological procedure. Now abdominal distension and pain, ? small bowel obstruction.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male

Radio-opaque material beneath the hemidiaphragms consistant with barium lining the peritoneal cavity.

Diffuse radio-opaque material throughout the peritoneal cavity indicative of barium with marked fluid-filled distension of small bowel loops and collapsed colon indicative of distal small bowel obstruction.

Case Discussion

Barium is highly irritant to the peritoneum and induces considerable adhesions leading to recurrent bowel obstruction.

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