Barium intravasation: radiographic and CT findings in a nonfatal case

A woman survived venous intravasation of barium complicating an abdominal barium study. Barium deposition in the reticuloendothelial system was evident by an increase in density in the liver, spleen, and bones on plain radiographs and marked elevation of attenuation values of these organs on computed tomographic scans. The literature on barium intravasation is reviewed.