Splenic rupture after colonoscopy

Abstract

We report the case of a 60-years old woman who underwent colonoscopy because of abdominal pain and raised inflammatory markers. She presents to the emergency ward 24 hours later complaining of worsening abdominal pain. Contrast CT of the abdomen shows a splenic rupture but no perforation. A literature review shows that splenic rupture is a rare and underdiagnosed complication of colonoscopy. The pathophysiological mechanism is thought to be direct trauma or excessive traction on the splenic ligament.