Stercoral perforation in a child: a rare complication of NSAID use

BMJ Case Rep. 2014 Mar 22:2014:bcr2014203652. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-203652.

Abstract

The adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are well known. However, NSAID use rarely leads to a stercoral perforation, an extremely rare but life-threatening cause of acute abdomen. We present a case of stercoral sigmoid colon perforation in a 2-year-old girl, secondary to unintentional NSAID overdose, developing as a result of miscommunication between the general practitioner (GP) and the mother. To the best of our knowledge, stercoral perforation has never before been reported in a child.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / poisoning*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Colon, Sigmoid / diagnostic imaging*
  • Colonic Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Colonic Diseases / etiology
  • Constipation / chemically induced*
  • Constipation / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Perforation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Intestinal Perforation / etiology
  • Medication Errors / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal