What is a serious potential complication of performing an air contrast enema?

The serious potential complication of performing an air contrast enema is perforation. This can occur when excessive pressure is applied during the procedure or if there is pre-existing weakness in the bowel wall, such as in cases of diverticulitis, colitis, or malignancy. Perforation can lead to the leakage of bowel contents into the abdominal cavity, resulting in a severe condition known as peritonitis, which is a surgical emergency.

While hemorrhage, infection, and pneumothorax can occur in various medical procedures, they are less directly associated with an air contrast enema compared to perforation. Hemorrhage may be a concern if there is manipulation of the bowel, but it is not a primary risk of the enema itself. Infection is a potential risk with any invasive procedure, but the likelihood remains relatively low with air contrast enemas performed under sterile conditions. Pneumothorax is typically associated with procedures involving the thorax, not with gastrointestinal interventions like the air contrast enema. Thus, perforation stands out as the most critical complication in this context.