title: Autonomic Dysreflexia Resulting in Seizure After Colonoscopy in a Patient With Spinal Cord Injury.
abstract: There are many potential procedural risks associated with colonoscopy. We present a case of autonomic dysreflexia complicated by seizure after colonoscopy in a patient with a spinal cord injury. Autonomic dysreflexia is a disorder characterized by hypertension, bradycardia, headache, and diaphoresis and is associated with spinal cord injuries above the level of T6. Episodes can be precipitated by a variety of factors, including bladder distension and stool impaction. We suspect that colonic/rectal distension and rectal stimulation associated with the colonoscopy precipitated autonomic dysreflexia in our patient.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fausel
authors.affiliation: University of Washington/VA Puget Sound, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Shirley C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Paski