Case report: Tension pneumoperitoneum after diagnostic colonoscopy in an 11 y/o boy with Crohns disease

Abstract

Highlights Benign Pneumoperitoneum can rarely follow colonoscopy. Even benign Pneumoperitoneum can lead to tension pneumoperitoneum. Tension pneumoperitoneum is a critically dangerous adverse event. Risk of perforation and microperforation increases in chronically inflamed intestine. Apparently, even microperforations can lead to tension pneumoperitoneum.

A Case of Pneumoperitoneum after Colonoscopy without Frank Perforation

“…Pneumoperitoneum situations that do not exhibit perforation and are caused by a different source do not need emergency surgery. [ 7 ] Asymptomatic free intra-abdominal air or pneumoperitoneum without peritonitis is described as a distinctive radiolucency visible on chest radiographs under the diaphragm or abdominal radiographs in the upper dependent area. [ 16 17 ] The patient in our case report had acute abdomen with involuntary guarding but he did not have leukocytosis, thus the patient was diagnosed with BP without peritonitis.…”