Splenic injury and hemoperitoneum as a complication of colonoscopy: A case report and literature review

Colonoscopy rarely results in serious or life-threatening complications. While bleeding, perforation, and cardiorespiratory complications account for a majority of procedural-related complications, splenic injury and resulting hemoperitoneum remain a serious, potentially life-threatening adverse event. Splenic injury is an underreported and underappreciated complication of colonoscopy. In this case, a 71-year-old female presented one day after colonoscopy with splenic injury and hemoperitoneum as a complication of the recent colonoscopy. In addition to reviewing the literature, the case describes systems for grading splenic injury and the use of splenic artery embolization for controlling the bleed. Given the frequent use of colonoscopy as both a screening and therapeutic modality, it is pivotal for the general internist to be familiar with potential complications. Along with this broad sense of potential complications, it is important to use clinical acumen, clinical examination findings, and elicited history to select the imaging modality of choice in a timely manner.