Intest Res.  2008 Dec;6(2):135-139.

A Case of Ischemic Colitis Following Oral OsmoticLaxative for Bowel Preparation

• Lee CK
• Lee SH
• Lee JY
• Kim SP
• Chung IK
• Kim SJ
• Cho HD

Abstract

Ischemic colitis is the most prevalent form of ischemic vascular compromise of the gastrointestinal tract. Although frequent in the elderly with co-morbidity, numerous pharmacologic agents including diuretics, pseudoephedrine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, and cocaine may produce colonic ischemia by mesenteric vasoconstriction. Oral hyperosmotic laxatives are frequently used as cleansing agents in bowel preparation for both radiologic and endoscopic studies. They are regarded as safe and effective agents, but can produce a rapid osmotic-mediated fluid loss, resulting in transient meseneteric hypoperfusion and subsequent ischemic colitis. Here, we describe a case of acute ischemic colitis caused by the oral osmotic laxative magnesium citrate, which was given for bowel preparation before a barium enema in a young healthy patient without underlying disease.

Keyword

Colitis, Ischemic; Laxatives; Colonoscopy

MeSH Terms

Aged
Barium
Citric Acid
Cocaine
Colitis
Colitis, Ischemic
Colon
Colonoscopy
Contraceptives, Oral
Detergents
Diuretics
Enema
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Ischemia
Laxatives
Magnesium
Organometallic Compounds
Pseudoephedrine
Vasoconstriction
Barium
Citric Acid
Cocaine
Contraceptives, Oral
Detergents
Diuretics
Laxatives
Magnesium
Organometallic Compounds
Pseudoephedrine