Splenic rupture after colonoscopy diagnosed by bedside ultrasonography

El Asmar A, Traboulsy S, El Tawil Ch. Splenic rupture after colonoscopy diagnosed by bedside ultrasonography. Med Emergency, MJEM 2020;28:43-4. 

DOI: 10.26738/MJEM.2017/MJEM28.2020/CT.CRE.180219

Keywords: colonoscopy, spleen, ultrasonography

  • Authors’ affiliation
  • Article history / info
  • Conflict of interest statement

Corresponding Author: Chady El TAWIL, MD

Emergency Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center,

Beirut, Lebanon

ce21@aub.edu.lb

El Asmar A, MD, Traboulsy S, MD, El Tawil Ch, MD

Emergency Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

Category: case report

Received: Jan 4, 2019

Revised: Feb 5, 2019

Accepted: Feb 18, 2019

There is no conflict of interest to declare

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Colonoscopy is a relatively safe procedure with low complication rates. A rare, but possible complication of colonoscopy is splenic rupture.

Case Presentation: A fifty nine years old patient presented one day post colonoscopy with vomiting and abdominal distention. The patient was hypotensive despite normal saline resuscitation. Bedside ultrasound showed fluid in the pelvis and a shattered spleen with splenic hematoma. The patient had an emergent laparotomy and splenectomy with no intraoperation complications.

Conclusion: Splenic rupture after colonoscopy is a rare complication and the use of bedside ultrasound by the emergency physicians is helpful in the early diagnosis and management of hemodynamically unstable patients.

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