The barium infusion in small intestinal obstruction.

During a two-year period 26 patients with suspected small bowel obstruction were examined by infusing barium into the small intestine. Mechanical obstruction was confirmed in 25 patients and the level of obstruction was shown in all except one who had carcinoma of the caecum. Surgery was avoided in nine patients-six of whom had Crohn's disease, two had adhesions and the investigation showed no abnormality in one patient. There were no complications associated with the examination or with the subsequent operation.