A Case of Ischemic Colitis Presenting as Bloody Diarrhea after Glycerin Enema

ABSTRACT

Enema has frequently been used for diagnostic or therapeutic purpose. However, cases of colitis from physical, chemical, and thermal injury due to enema have been reported. In severe cases, life threatening complications (perforation, rupture, peritonitis, etc.) may occasionally occur. Reports of ischemic colitis after enema is rare and there have been only 1 case of ischemic colitis after normal saline enema reported in South Korea. Sigmoidoscopy on a 58 year old female, presenting with sudden abdominal pain and hematochezia after glycerin enema, revealed ischemic injury of the rectosigmoid colon, which was improved after using antibiotics and conservative therapy.