DOI: 10.12890/2025_005248

Acute bowel perforation post-bowel preparation in a patient with connective tissue disease

Authors

  • Omar Brijawi Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Carmel Health System, Grove City, USA
  • Spencer Jude Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Carmel Health System, Grove City, USA
  • Evan Hartman Department of Internal Medicine, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, USA
  • Richard Fox Department of Internal Medicine, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, USA
  • Alex Kemei Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Carmel Health System, Grove City, USA
  • Matthew Chakan Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Carmel Health System, Grove City, USA

OMARBRIJAWI@GMAIL.COM

Keywords

Bowel preparation, bowel perforation, connective tissue disease

Abstract

Isosmotic oral agents are commonly used in bowel preparation due to their minimal side effects. However, bowel perforation is a rare and severe complication. Connective tissue disease and medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/steroids can weaken the colonic wall, which increases the risk of perforation. We present a case of a 67-year-old male with undifferentiated mixed connective tissue disease who developed a bowel perforation after administration of bowel prep. The patient initially presented to the emergency department with diffuse abdominal pain, with imaging showing evidence of perforation. Despite surgical and medical intervention, the patient passed away.

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References

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Published

2025-03-10

How to Cite

1.
Brijawi O, Jude S, Hartman E, Fox R, Kemei A, Chakan M. Acute bowel perforation post-bowel preparation in a patient with connective tissue disease. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 10 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];12(4). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/5248

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