Spontaneous perforation of the colon in a hemodialysis patient.

Spontaneous perforation of the colon by a barium stereoraceous fecaloma occurred two weeks after an upper gastrointestinal x-ray without intervening constipation or symptoms of intestinal obstruction. This patient is chronically uremic as have been a high percentage of the few previously reported similar cases. Renal failure and the associated factors in the management of uremia such as antacids, barium examinations, inactivity, changes in diet and finally abnormalities of the colonic mucosa due to uremia may all predispose these patients to an increased risk for this unusual serious complication.