J Korean Radiol Soc.  2006 Sep;55(3):289-293. 10.3348/jkrs.2006.55.3.289.

Barium Enema Findings of Milk Allergy in Infants

• Kim GJ
• Kim MJ
• Lee HJ

• KMID: 2209147
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2006.55.3.289

Abstract

PURPOSE
We wanted to evaluate the barium enema findings of milk allergy in infants.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Retrospective evaluation of the plain abdominal radiography and barium enema findings was performed in fifteen young infants suffering with milk allergy. The presence of gaseous distension, rectal gas, paralytic ileus and mechanical obstruction was evaluated on the plain radiography. The presence of spasm, a transitional zone, a reversed rectosigmoid index and mucosal irregularity was analyzed on the barium enema; the presence of barium retention was also evaluated on 24-hour-delayed plain radiography.
RESULTS
Paralytic ileus was the most common finding on the plain radiography (93%). On the barium enema, continuous spasm of the colon, ranging from the rectum to the descending colon, was revealed in ten infants (67%). A transitional zone was observed in one infant and a reversed rectosigmoid index was revealed in four. Mucosal irregularity was observed in two infants. Barium retention was demonstrated in 11 of fifteen cases: throughout the entire colon (n = 3), from the rectum to the descending colon (n = 7), and up to the transverse colon (n = 1).
CONCLUSION
The most common barium enema finding of milk allergy in infants was spasm of the distal colon. The other findings were a transitional zone, a reversed rectosigmoid index, mucosal irregularity and barium retention.

Keyword

Anaphylaxis and allergy; Barium enema examination; Infants, gastrointestinal tract; Colitis; Milk

MeSH Terms

Barium*
Colitis
Colon
Colon, Descending
Colon, Transverse
Enema*
Humans
Infant*
Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
Milk Hypersensitivity*
Milk*
Radiography
Radiography, Abdominal
Rectum
Retrospective Studies
Spasm
Barium