The Risk of Ileocolonic Perforation in Patients with Behet's Disease: Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

Introduction/Purpose: Intestinal Behcet’s disease may cause serious complications. Massive hemorrhage, fistulisation and intestinal perforation are encountered complications in approximately 50% of patients suffering from intestinal Behcet’s disease. Currently, there is not enough data inquiring iatrogenic ileocolonic perforation during colonoscopy in patients with intestinal Behcet’s disease; therefore we aimed to study intestinal Behcet’s disease patients who suffered perforation during or after colonoscopy. Methods: A total of 2615 colonoscopic examinations were performed between May 2002 and December 2007. Of these 2615 patients, main indication for colonoscopy was intestinal Behcet’s disease in 135 patients. Results: In total 135 patients with Behcet’s patients were assessed with colonoscopy due to presumed ileocolonic involvement. 8 out of 135 (5.9%) patients had ileal and colonic ulcers. 3 patients (2.22%) had iatrogenic perforation, 2 of whom had profound ulcers in proximal colon and ileum. The third case had ulcers in sigmoid colon, descending and transverse colon segments. All these 3 patients had undergone surgical intervention including ileal resection and right hemicolectomy. Discussion: Colonoscopic examination is commonly used in Behcet’s disease not only for diagnostic purposes but also for surveillance of intestinal involvement in Behcet’s disease. Volcano-shaped ulcers are specially inclined to perforate. Both clinicians and endoscopists should be alert against barotrauma applied during colonoscopy may cause perforation. Also patients should be followed-up necessarily and in case of abdominal pain after colonoscopic examination, colonic perforation should always be kept in mind.f