Enema-induced hyperphosphatemia in ileus of the small and large intestine

We report a case of severe hyperphosphatemia following repeated use of phosphate-containing enemas in a patient with small and large bowel ileus, who died from acute renal and cardiovascular failure. Refractory hypocalcemia presumably resulted from precipitation of calcium-phosphate. Hypocalcemia may induce alterations which seriously compromise the clinical course.