Complications of optical colonoscopy: CT findings

Radiol Clin North Am. 2014 Sep;52(5):1087-99. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2014.05.012. Epub 2014 Jul 5.

Abstract

The development of colorectal cancer screening programs in many countries has led to increasingly large numbers of patients undergoing optical colonoscopy. Although acute complications from screening optical colonoscopy are uncommon, they may occur in up to 5% or more of patients where biopsies or therapeutic procedures are performed. Abdominal radiographs are of value only for the detection of intraperitoneal perforation. There is a wide spectrum of other important associated complications. Such complications are most reliably identified using abdominal and pelvic CT, which also can guide appropriate conservative, interventional, or surgical management.

Keywords: Complications; Computed tomography; Optical colonoscopy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Colonography, Computed Tomographic / methods*
  • Colonoscopy / adverse effects*
  • Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Intestinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Peritoneum / diagnostic imaging
  • Peritoneum / injuries
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Spleen / injuries