The barium enema, although present indications are currently restricted, is still useful on radiological workup in the colon. Colorectal perforation is the most serious complication of barium enema, occurring at 0.02 to 0.23% of examinations performed, with mortality rate of up to 50%. We report the case of male patient, 40 years, two months ago had intense anal pain and bleeding during performing of barium enema for etiologic investigation of constipation, with spontaneous improvement after a month. On examination, there was cutaneus and submucosal infiltration of the anus and extraperitoneal rectum by barium sulfate, without perforation. The enema brought by the patient and the radiography of the pelvis after two months of the examination showed incomplete rectal perforation by barium sulfate. Performed clinical observation and surgical intervention only if arises complication. Currently, patient remains asymptomatic for 15 months.
Perforation; enema; complications; therapeutics; observation
