Multiple indomethacin-induced colonic perforations in an adolescent

Singapore Med J. 2011 Apr;52(4):e82-4.

Abstract

Colonic perforation is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in paediatric patients, and can present a diagnostic enigma as well as management challenge to the paediatric surgeon. An adolescent developed multiple colonic perforations following a short course of oral indomethacin, requiring emergency hemicolectomy. This is the youngest known case of enteral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-mediated large bowel injury. We review current evidence on NSAID-related enteropathy, and postulate potentiating mechanisms that may have accounted for the unusually rapid clinical course of our patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute / diagnosis
  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Colectomy / methods*
  • Colon / drug effects*
  • Colonic Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indomethacin / adverse effects*
  • Intestinal Perforation / chemically induced
  • Ischemia / pathology
  • Necrosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Indomethacin