title: Ischemic colitis following colonoscopy in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient: report of a case.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ischemic colitis is an uncommon complication in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus but may be precipitated by colonoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 43-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus under treatment with immunosuppressive drugs and prednisone was submitted to colonoscopy because of a change in bowel habit. Apart from the presence of a small metaplastic polyp, colonoscopy showed only a few erythematosus areas in the sigma and left colon. Four hours after colonoscopy, the patient developed lower colic abdominal pain and mucous diarrhea followed by rectal bleeding from ischemic colitis. The patient was successfully treated with fluids, spasmolytic drugs, sodic heparin, antibiotics and enteral feeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness of the risk of this potential complication, secondary to colonoscopy, in patients with connective tissue disorders may lead to a prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, with a successful outcome.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Surgery Unit, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Versaci
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macrì
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scuderi
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartolone
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Familiari
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lupattelli
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Famulari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017091:Colitis, Ischemic / Q000209:etiology*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents