• Nathan M Novotny, Keith D Lillemoe, and Mark E Falimirski.
• Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
• J Emerg Med. 2010 Feb 1;38(2):148-9.

BackgroundBarium appendicitis (BA) is a rarely seen entity with fewer than 30 reports in the literature. However, it is a known complication of barium imaging.ObjectiveTo report a case of BA in a patient whose computed tomography (CT) scan was initially read as foreign body ingestion.Case ReportAn 18-year-old man presented with right lower quadrant pain after upper gastrointestinal imaging 2 weeks prior. A CT scan was obtained of his abdomen and pelvis that revealed a finding that was interpreted as a foreign body at the area of the terminal ileum. A plain X-ray study of the abdomen revealed radiopaque appendicoliths. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of barium appendicitis.ConclusionsBA is a rare entity and the pathogenesis is unclear. Shorter intervals between barium study and presentation with appendicitis usually correlate with fewer complications.Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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