Abstract
This article describes a severe allergic reaction to a barium sulfate compound used during double-contrast colon examination. This unusual complication is probably induced by chemical agents used as additives in the commercially available barium preparations. The pertinent literature is briefly reviewed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Seidl LG, Thornton GF, Smith JW, Cluff LE. Studies on the epidemiology of adverse drug reaction, Part III. Reactions in patients on a general medical service.Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp 419:299–315, 1966
Porter J, Jick H: Drug-related deaths among medical patients.JAMA 237:879–881, 1977
Ogilvie RI, Reudy J: Adverse drug reactions during hospitalization.Can Med Assoc J 97:1450–1457, 1967
Amberg JR: Complications of colon radiology.Gastrointest Endosc 26:15S-17S, 1980
Dreyfuss JR, Janower ML: Techniques of colon examination. In Dreyfuss JR, Janower ML (eds):Radiology of the Colon. Balitimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1980; pp 68–71, 92–95
Seaman WB, Walls J: Complications of barium enema.Gastroenterology 48:728–737, 1965
Gelfand D, Ott D, Hunt T: Gastrointestinal complications of radiologic procedures. In Meyers MA, Ghahremani GG (eds):Iatrogenic Gastrointestinal Complications. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1981, pp 91–100
Gelfand D: Complications of gastrointestinal radiologic procedures: I. Complications of routine fluoroscopic exams.Gastrointest Radiol 5:293–315, 1980
Nagel JE, Fuscaldo JT, Fireman PF: Paraben allergy.JAMA 237:1594–1595, 1977
Shamberg IL: Allergic contact dermatitis to methyl and propyl parabens.Arch Dermatol 95:626–628, 1967
Schorr WP, Mohajerin AH: Paraben sensitivity.Arch Dermatol 93:721–723, 1966
Henry JC, Ischen EH, Becker LE: Contact urticaria to parabens.Arch Dermatol 115:1231–1232, 1979
Wuepper KD: Paraben contact dermatitis.JAMA 202:127–129, 1967
Sokol H: Recent developments in the preservation of pharmaceuticals.Drug Stand 20:89–106, 1952
Aznurian MS, Shwerov MV: Case of allergy to barium sulfate.Klin Med (Mosk) 56:122–123, 1978
Larsen CF: Allergic side-effects after radioscopic examination of the colon with a barium sulfate suspension.Ugeskr Laeger 143:937–938, 1981
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Javors, B.R., Applbaum, Y. & Gerard, P. Severe allergic reaction: An unusual complication of barium enema. Gastrointest Radiol 9, 357–358 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01887868
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01887868