
Splenic rupture as a rare and unpredicted complication in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus after colonoscopy
Author(s) -
Subhanudh Thavaraputta,
Passisd Laoveeravat,
Bhakhathorn Thavaraputta,
Ariwan Rakvit
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2019-229262
Subject(s) - medicine , colonoscopy , complication , systemic lupus erythematosus , colorectal cancer , surgery , disease , general surgery , cancer
Colonoscopy is a common procedure that gastroenterologists perform on a daily basis. It is considered a low-risk outpatient procedure and patients can be discharged on the same day after the procedure. Colonoscopy has become more feasible with the increasing application of standard screening for colon cancer and diagnostic procedures for large intestinal disease. There are reported possible risk factors of splenic rupture during the procedure. However, splenic injury after colonoscopy is considered a rare complication and less than 100 cases have been reported in international literature. Interestingly, this is the first case report demonstrating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as a possible risk factor leading to splenic rupture post-colonoscopy. Failure to recognise this possibility even in its rarity can lead to life-threatening complications. We present a case of an acute splenic rupture with massive intraperitoneal bleeding after colonoscopy in a patient with SLE.