An Obstructing Fecal Bezoar in a Patient with Scleroderma with Successful Colonoscopic Disimpaction

ACG Case Rep J. 2019 Apr 11;6(4):e00059. doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000000059. eCollection 2019 Apr.

Abstract

Scleroderma (SSc) is a disease caused by collagen deposition resulting in fibrosis within multiple organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, and heart. We report a rare case of a patient with diffuse SSc who presented with a large bowel obstruction from a fecal bezoar impaction. The bezoar was successfully removed using colonoscopy after lavage, cold forceps, balloon dilator, and cap-assisted disimpaction. We demonstrate that patients with SSc are at risk for bezoar formation and true mechanical obstruction in the lower gastrointestinal tract, which may require more aggressive endoscopic treatment if conservative measures fail.

Publication types

  • Case Reports