Barium-induced appendicitis mimicking accidental ingestion of a dental metal crown in radiological findings

Clin J Gastroenterol. 2014 Apr;7(2):129-31. doi: 10.1007/s12328-014-0457-7. Epub 2014 Jan 28.

Abstract

Barium appendicitis is a rare complication that has only been reported in a small number of case reports in the medical literature. A 57-year-old male presented to the emergency room with a sudden onset of sharp right lower quadrant abdominal pain. He had undergone contrast barium examination of his stomach 2 months previously as part of a periodic examination for gastric cancer. The radiological findings showed that the shape and radiopaque levels were similar to those of a dental metal crown silhouette. The patient was strongly suspected to have a localized intra-abdominal abscess due to ileocaecal perforation with a foreign body such as a dental metal crown. Emergency surgery revealed acute phlegmonous appendicitis. The resected specimen demonstrated a phlegmonous appendix which contained solid coproma. Pathological diagnosis and composition analysis confirmed the onset of appendicitis to be a result of the patient's ingestion of barium sulfate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Appendicitis / chemically induced*
  • Appendicitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Barium Sulfate / adverse effects*
  • Crowns*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enema*
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Barium Sulfate