Colonoscopic perforation leading to a diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos syndrome type IV: a case report and review of the literature
2011

Colonoscopic Perforation and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV: A Case Report

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Rana Mariam, Aziz Omer, Purkayastha Sanjay, Lloyd Josephine, Wolfe John, Ziprin Paul

Primary Institution: Imperial College London

Hypothesis

Can colonoscopic perforation reveal an undiagnosed connective tissue disorder?

Conclusion

The case illustrates how a colonoscopic perforation led to the diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV in a patient.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient had a history of congenital clubfoot and a family history of colorectal cancer.
  • Genetic testing revealed a mutation in the COL3A1 gene, consistent with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV.
  • Colonoscopy is a known risk factor for perforation, especially in patients with connective tissue disorders.

Takeaway

A man had a serious complication after a colonoscopy, which helped doctors discover he had a rare condition that makes his tissues fragile.

Methodology

Case report detailing the patient's medical history, examination, imaging, surgical intervention, and genetic testing.

Limitations

The diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV was made retrospectively after a complication.

Participant Demographics

33-year-old Caucasian male with a family history of colorectal cancer.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1752-1947-5-229

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