Barium appendicitis

Published: 03/28/2012

Authors: Rajendran N, Sornalingam S, Courtney ED and Hagger RW

A 59-year-old man presented with central abdominal pain subsequent to a barium enema. An abdominal radiograph and computed tomography identified retained barium in the appendix and he underwent appendicectomy. The pathology report stated ‘‘there is insudation of barium within the mucosa associated with focal mild cryptitis and moderate lymphoid hyperplasia’’. The report concluded acute appendicitis. At follow-up, one year later, the patient’s symptoms had fully resolved. Barium appendicitis is uncommon but should be considered in the differential diagnosis, when a patient has had a recent barium investigation and presents with abdominal pain.