ASCR Journal

1.       Summary

An elderly gentleman presented with a history of altered bowel habits with significant weight loss without any family history of cancers. He underwent Colonoscopy which was non-specific. Post procedure he became hemodynamically unstable and workup revealed a drop-in haemoglobin level. He had abdominal pain for which a CT scan was performed which revealed grade III splenic injury which was treated conservatively.

2.       Background

Splenic rupture as a complication of colonoscopy is an extremely rare event. Many of these cases are of a minor trivial nature going un-noticed. However, some may have a significant injury leading to haemorrhage and requiring intervention. We present this case to highlight the importance of reducing loops and avoiding un-necessary manipulation if encountering difficulty in negotiating scope beyond acute turns like flexures. These injuries may be devastating and go unnoticed since the lumen of the intestine may not get compromised. It is always wise to withdraw scope and re start the procedure again at the same time involving more expert opinion and help. There is always a chance these finding may get missed at the time of the procedure and present late with some blame to the sedation being generously used during these procedures. Knowledge of such complications always helps in identifying these patients on time and promptly treating them to avoid mortality.

3.       Case Presentation

74-year-old gentleman presented to our facility with history of alteration in bowel habits with associated on and off bleeding per rectum and associated undocumented weight loss for over a year. He had not sought any treatment and investigations for these complaints in the past and was managing on his own without any medications. Now the frequency of constipation was increasing day by day and he felt bloated and lacked the desire to eat. His examination revealed a thin built elderly gentleman with good functional class not requiring any assistance. Patient was fully oriented with time, place and person. At arrival his heart rate was around 65bpm, Blood Pressure of 105/64 mm Hg, Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute with O₂ saturation of around 99%. His general physical examination was unremarkable. Chest was clear and Cardiovascular and CNS examination were within normal limits. On abdominal examination there were bilateral inguinal hernias visible with a positive cough impulse. On palpation the belly was soft, non-tender and there were no palpable masses or any abnormal visceromegaly felt.  Keeping his age and history in mind a high suspicion of ruling out colonic malignancy was anticipated. His initial blood labs were sent which included complete blood counts, serum creatinine and electrolytes and coagulation profile the values of which have been mentioned in the investigation section. He initially underwent a Contrast enhanced CT Scan due to suspicion of malignancy and sub-acute intestinal obstruction which was unremarkable. Later a diagnostic Colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy was planned to screen for malignancy and check the source of bleeding for iron deficiency anaemia. After appropriate bowel prep patient underwent both UGI endoscopy and Colonoscopy under conscious sedation. The UGI endoscopy revealed a superficial ulcer in the distal oesophagus with no evidence of bleeding. Colonoscopy was performed without any technical difficulty and the procedure was completed within 20 minutes. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcer at ileocecal valve (see figure 1) which was biopsied and internal haemorrhoids (Figure 2). Post procedure the patient started complaining of abdominal pain which was generalized without any guarding or rigidity on examination and his Gut sounds were sluggish. He had mild drop in his Blood pressures of around 106-60mm Hg and his heart rate was round 86 with normal saturations at room air and normal temperature. Urine output was adequate. Blood labs were sent and they showed a drop in Hb from 10.7 to 6.8 g/dl. His coagulation profile sent again was normal. There was a high suspicion of bleed and blood products were arranged. Patient was shifted to special care unit for increased hemodynamic monitoring. Initially two litre boluses of normal saline was administered which improved his blood pressure. He was then taken for a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis which revealed splenic laceration with peri splenic hematoma with haemo-peritoneum (See Figures 3&4).  Once blood products were arranged he was transfused four units of packed red blood cells. Since the patient has grade III splenic injury with no evidence of contrast extravasation indicating active bleed. It was decided to pursue a conservative course. He stayed in special care unit for a few days and later shifted in ward.

atient was discharged after ten days of admission. After his CT scan revealed splenic laceration induced post colonoscopy which was responsible for bleeding within the abdominal cavity he was managed conservatively with frequent Hb monitoring and blood transfusions. The patient gradually recovered and at discharge was tolerating regular diet and was fully mobile. At his first follow up in clinic after a week the patient was remarkably improved, and he was advised to resume activities of daily living.

5.       Discussion

Colonoscopy is a procedure commonly used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes considered to be very safe [1]. The commonly reported complications are intraluminal bleeding (0.3% - 2.1%) and perforation (0.1% - 2.5%) [2]. Rare complications include pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, appendicitis, retroperitoneal abscess; colonic volvulus and splenic rupture [3].  We present a case of splenic rupture following a diagnostic colonoscopy at our setup. Our literature search revealed slightly more than a hundred case reports on this complication which may be owing to the under reporting or bias towards the publication of severe cases [4].

 Splenic rupture secondary to colonoscopy was first reported in 1974 by Wherry and Zehner [5]. It has an incidence of around 0.00005-0.017% and a mortality rate of 5 % [6]. It has higher incidence in females [7,8]. Although a rare complication, it can be potentially fatal. Hence it should be diagnosed promptly. Most patients with a colonoscopy-induced splenic rupture present with the typical symptoms of a trauma-induced splenic rupture within 24 hours of their colonoscopy [9]. However, some patients have presented up to 10 days later [10]. There is usually abdominal pain, which is generalized or localized to the left upper quadrant [11,12]. Pain may also be felt in left shoulder (Kehr’s sign) [13]. Kehr's sign is believed to be due to the irritation of left diaphragm or splenic 

Figure 1: Colonoscopy images normal rectum, descending, transverse and ascending colon with ulcer at the ileocecal valve which was biopsied

Figure 2: Image taken with colonoscope showing prolapsed haemorrhoids with visible mucosa from the anal verge.

Figure 3: Sagittal View CT scan abdomen and pelvis showing splenic laceration with peri splenic hematoma and high-density haemorrhagic ascites. Also seen is a benign cyst in the left kidney.

Figure 4: Contrast Enhanced CT Scan Cros- sectional View Showing Splenic Laceration with high density ascites indicative of haemorrhage with no evidence of active bleed.

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