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.