title: Splenic rupture following colonoscopy: rare in the UK?
abstract: Splenic injury following colonoscopy is rare, with only 28 cases reported so far in the English language literature. Direct trauma during colonoscopy or traction on the spleno-colic ligament is the proposed mechanism of injury. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen is usually considered to be the most sensitive and specific modality for diagnosis. We report a case of a 56-year-old female, who was diagnosed having a splenic rupture following a routine colonoscopy for investigation of anaemia. She underwent an emergency laparotomy with splenectomy and made a satisfactory recovery post-operatively. We wish to highlight that there should be a high index of suspicion of splenic rupture in patients presenting with abdominal pain and demonstrating a positive Kehr's sign following colonoscopy. Only two case reports from the United Kingdom have been published, raising the possibility of under-reporting of such cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince Charles Hospital, Pontypridd, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raman
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Haray
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013156:Splenectomy; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology