Abstract
Perforation of the large bowel can occur as a complication of sigmoidoscopy, rectal or sigmoid biopsy, and even of a simple cleansing enema. If the perforation is extraperitoneal there may be no early symptoms and consequently there may be delay in diagnosis. The risk of perforation during these procedures is small but it should not be ignored. The performance of a barium enema shortly after a rectal or sigmoid biopsy may slightly increase the risk by converting a partial perforation into a complete one. Precautions can be taken to minimize the hazard.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Ansell G. A national survey of radiological complications: interim report. Clin Radiol. 1968 Apr;19(2):175–191. doi: 10.1016/s0009-9260(68)80059-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- SEAMAN W. B., WELLS J. COMPLICATIONS OF THE BARIUM ENEMA. Gastroenterology. 1965 Jun;48:728–737. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]