Barium sulphate poisoning?

We report a case with neurologic symptoms which occurred after iterative ra diologic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract with barium sulphate, w hich were related to a barium encephalopathy. Suspected by the presence of barium in the blood, a sytematic intoxication was occurred without any evid ence for a gut or a vascular leak. This case raises the question about a po ssible extraluminal diffusion of such a heavy metal, given orally, in norma l conditions of use. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.