Case Report
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World J Gastrointest Endosc. May 16, 2013; 5(5): 270-272
Published online May 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i5.270
Boerhaave’s syndrome during bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol in a patient with postpolypectomy bleeding
Ji-Youn Yu, Seung-Kyoung Kim, Eun-Chul Jang, Ju-Ok Yeom, Sun-Young Kim, Young-Seok Cho
Ji-Youn Yu, Seung-Kyoung Kim, Eun-Chul Jang, Ju-Ok Yeom, Sun-Young Kim, Young-Seok Cho, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Uijeongbu 480-717, South Korea
Author contributions: Yu JY, Kim SK, Jang EC, Yeom JO, Kim SY and Cho YS contributed to the manuscript writing and revision.
Correspondence to: Young-Seok Cho, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, 65-1 Geumo-dong, Uijeongbu 480-717, South Korea. yscho@catholic.ac.kr
Telephone: +82-31-8203658 Fax: +82-31-8472719
Received: January 2, 2013
Revised: April 14, 2013
Accepted: April 18, 2013
Published online: May 16, 2013
Abstract

Boerhaave’s syndrome is spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, a rare condition with high mortality that occurs most often after forceful vomiting. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution is the most common preparation used for colonoscopy. Since large volumes have to be ingested, PEG may induce severe vomiting or retching. However, Boerhaave’s syndrome has rarely been reported as a potential problem related to PEG solution. We report a case of spontaneous esophageal rupture due to violent vomiting during bowel preparation with PEG solution in a patient with postpolypectomy bleeding.

Keywords: Esophageal perforation, Colonoscopy, Polyethylene glycols

Core tip: A bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution should be used with care in patients with postpolypectomy bleeding.