title: [Explosion in rectum].
abstract: The article describes a case of gas explosion during diathermy snare resection of a polyp in the rectum, after cleansing with a sorbitol enema. Proximity to anus prevented perforation or other complications. The patient was shown to be a methane producer by a hydrogen-methane breath test. Gas explosion is a rare complication during use of diathermy in lower endoscopy, and usually occurs in patients with sub-optimal bowel cleansing. CO2 insufflation will prevent this and should be the method of choice; first of all because it reduces patient discomfort in the period after colonoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Gastromedisinsk avdeling, Ullevål universitetssykehus, 0407 Oslo.
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hofstad
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003972:Diathermy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000628:therapy*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D013012:Sorbitol
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D013012:Sorbitol