Intracolonic Pressures during Barium Enema Examination
Noveroske, R.J.
American Journal of Roentgenology, Radium Therapy, and Nuclear Medicine 91: 852-863
1964
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9580 PMID: 14139913 Document Number: 3148
High viscosity Basuspensions can be given safely and comfortably with the bottom of the enema can 5 feet above the table top (essentially at the ceiling) because of the marked loss of pressure head with high viscosity liquids. When intestine perforates, it obeys the law of LaPlace, i.e., the tearing apart of intestinal wall is not due to pressure alone, but is due to the product of the change in pressure across the wall times the radius of the intestine. The measurements of bursting pressures and radii obtained on autopsy specimens can be applied to living human intestine. The mean value of the maximum resting pressures in colons is about 22 mm Hg. A sustained spasm pressure of 112 mm Hg, not due to straining, was produced in 1 patient during a low viscosity Ba enema from 5 feet. When low viscosity Ba suspensions are given from 4 or 5 foot heights, many spasm pressures are seen. The spasm pressures are always less than the available hydrostatic pressure. The incidence and height of these spasm pressures increase with elevation of the enema can.
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