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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

A barium enema exam poses few risks. Rarely, complications of a barium enema exam may include:

  • Inflammation in tissues surrounding the colon
  • Obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract
  • Tear in the colon wall
References
  1. Barium enema examination. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. https://www.asrt.org/content/ThePublic/AboutRadiologicProcedures/Barium_Enema_exam.aspx. Accessed April 12, 2011.
  2. Lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract X-ray (radiography). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=lowergi. Accessed April 12, 2011.
  3. Colorectal cancer early detection. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectumCancer/MoreInformation/ColonandRectumCancerEarlyDetection/colorectal-cancer-early-detection-screening-tests-used. Accessed April 12, 2011.
  4. American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_ACS_Cancer_Detection_Guidelines_36.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed April 12, 2011.
  5. Labianca R, et al. Screening and diagnosis for colorectal cancer: Present and future. Tumori. 2010;96:889.
  6. Picco, MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. April 13, 2011.
  7. Fletcher RH. Tests for screening for colorectal cancer: Stool tests, radiologic imaging and endoscopy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 12, 2011.
MY00619 June 18, 2011

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