Pediatric radiologists in 40 children's hospitals in North America were interviewed to determine their choice of contrast media in the diagnosis and treatment of intussusception. The respondents indicated that barium was utilized in the vast majority of instances. Almost all indicated that they would proceed with barium enema even if there is unequivocal evidence of small bowel obstruction on the plain film examination. In over 14,000 cases of intussusception, there were 55 perforations, an incidence of approximately 1 in 250. The perforations in general were well tolerated, although there was one death.