Complications from extravasated retroperitoneal barium: case report and review of the literature.

Extravasation of barium into the retroperitoneum is an uncommon complication of radiologic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract. It may occur during evaluation of either the upper or lower tract. A case is presented in which the result was abscess formation, a potential delayed complication of duodenal perforation and retroperitoneal extravasation of barium.

Technetium-99m hysterosalpingography in infertility: an accurate alternative to contrast hysterosalpingography.

Thirteen infertile women who had undergone tubal surgery within the previous year for the correction of tubal obstruction, were studied with both conventional and radionuclide hysterosalpingography. The studies were performed on the same day, were interpreted independently, and the results were then compared. Three cases were excluded from analysis because of the technical inadequacy of one of the studies.

Duodenal perforation during intubation for small bowel enema study.

Use of the small bowel enema examination (enteroclysis) is increasing, and numerous reports have attested to its value, but virtually no complications have been reported. The author describes a 72-year-old man undergoing enteroclysis for weakness, anemia, and guaiac-positive stools in whom the duodenum was perforated during intubation. Radiologists should be aware of this potential complication, and inexperienced people should be supervised carefully during the procedure.

Mammography and breast implants.

Recent recommendations by the American Cancer Society have focused attention on the value of screening mammography in the detection of occult breast cancers. This has resulted in a proliferation of "walk in" and mobile mammography screening clinics and a barrage of publicity aimed at women aged 40 and over. Among these are more than a half million women who have had an augmentation mammaplasty; at least another half million are still under 40 but entering this age group incrementally.