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. In this case, medical treatment was successful.