Colonic chemobezoar--intestinal obstruction due to barium inspissation.

ABSTRACT

A 72-year-old man presented with constipation of 45 days' duration, with history suggestive of recurrent episodes of subacute intestinal obstruction relieved by passage of fluid and flatus; he had noticed an abdominal lump 30 days prior. Examination revealed a lump corresponding to the contours of the entire large intestine. X-ray showed barium outlining the colon. Enquiry revealed that he had undergone a barium enema study 10 days prior to appearance of the lump. The diagnosis of barium inspissation was confirmed at laparotomy; total colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis was done.