A complication of cleansing enema: retained protective shield of the enema tip

A retained enema tube sheath was encountered in 4 outpatients who underwent preparation for barium enema. This object can be detected on a plain abdominal roentgenogram, but is more readily apparent as an intraluminal foreign body during barium enema examination. We suggest that a prominent warning to remove the sheath before taking a cleansing enema be attached to the enema tip.