Colonoscopy-Induced Splenic Injury: An Unusual Complication Warranting Urgent Attention

Abstract

Colonoscopy is a safe, well-tolerated procedure routinely performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of colorectal diseases. Although splenic injury is an uncommon complication, it is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, splenic injury should always be in the differential in any patient with abdominal pain or hemodynamic instability during or following colonoscopy. We present a case of splenic rupture during an elective colonoscopy.




J Med Cases. 2014;5(10):541-544
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc1817w