A Sign of Intestinal Perforation

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Abstract
Intestinal perforation with absorption of diatrizoate from the peritoneal cavity produces opacification of the urinary bladder within two hours. The opacified urinary blader can be identified on plain films of the abdomen even when partially obscured by diatrizoate in the rectum. Opacification of the urinary bladder following ingestion of diatrizoate occurs with considerable frequency in infants, but is unusual in normal adult subjects. Visualization of the urinary bladder in adults, after ingestion of diatrizoate, is a sign which is strongly suggestive but not pathognomonic of intestinal perforation. Absence of opacification of the urinary bladder after ingestion of diatrizoate is of value in ruling out intestinal perforation.

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