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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Aug 16, 2013; 5(8): 398-401
Published online Aug 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i8.398
Published online Aug 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i8.398
Conservative management of small bowel perforation in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV
Satya Allaparthi, Department of Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA 01608, United States
Himanshu Verma, David L Burns, Ann M Joyce, Department of Gastroenterology, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA 01805, United States
Author contributions: Allaparthi S, Verma H, Burns DL and Joyce AM reviewed, designed, edited, and organized the report; Burns DL and Joyce AM served as the attending doctors for the patient; Allaparthi S performed the literature review and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Satya Allaparthi, MD, Department of Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA 01608, United States. surgsatya@yahoo.com
Telephone: +1-508-3636208 Fax: +1-508-3639798
Received: April 13, 2013
Revised: May 15, 2013
Accepted: June 5, 2013
Published online: August 16, 2013
Revised: May 15, 2013
Accepted: June 5, 2013
Published online: August 16, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Gastrointestinal bleeding and bowel perforations are known complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type IV Tissue fragility and hemorrhage tendency pose diagnostic as well as therapeutic dilemmas for both surgeons and gastroenterologists. We performed an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and ileoscopy in a bleeding patient with history of EDS type IV. The upper endoscopy procedure was uneventful with minimal air used for luminal distension. A small bowel perforation was found. This case highlights the tissue fragility and serosal tears that can occur upon slight handling. Conservative management proved the best course of action.