Dissolution of Barium-impaction ileus by Gastrografin

Ileus caused by impaction of hardened residual barium stagnated in the colon-a rare complication of barium-meal examination-constitutes a particularly serious problem when it occurs following abdominal operations, leading to postoperative ileus. The administration of Gastrografin in such cases has proven efficacy in the dissolution of inspissated barium, refractory to routine means of evacuation. Four case reports provide an illustration of this problem. The satisfactory results obtained, and the hitherto reported lack of side effects of this compound, justify recommendation of Gastrografin as a safe, simple method for use in the management of these cases.