Spontaneous bowel perforation in the setting of colonic involvement with scleroderma

Abstract

Here we present a rare case of spontaneous colonic perforation in a middle-aged woman affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc). In spite of maximal medical support and prompt emergency laparotomy for source control the patient died due to multiorgan failure within 48 hours of admission. This case emphasises that although rarely, patients with scleroderma can present with colonic perforation which unfortunately due to their decreased physiological reserve, can lead to rapid and irreversible deterioration and subsequent death. It is therefore essential that clinicians faced with abdominal symptoms and signs in patients affected by SSc are able to quickly differentiate acute visceral perforation from benign causes.