Complex sentence: Leakage of barium into the mediastinum or peritoneal cavity may lead to endotoxic shock, which is often fatal; as a result, the use of barium as a contrast agent is contraindicated when there is a suspicion or possibility of compromise of bowel wall integrity.
Split into simpler sentences: Leakage of barium into the mediastinum or peritoneal cavity may lead to endotoxic shock which is often fatal. As a result, the use of barium as a contrast agent is contraindicated when there is a suspicion or possibility of compromise of bowel wall integrity.