Ulcerative colitis complicated with colonic necrosis, septic shock and venous thromboembolism: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Severe total colonic necrosis, septic shock and venous thromboembolism secondary to ulcerative colitis (UC) are rare and life-threatening. No such severe complications have been reported in the literature.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a 36-year-old woman who developed total colonic necrosis and septic shock secondary to UC. The patient was treated with emergency surgery because computed tomography showed suspicious perforations. Persistent massive ascites occurred after operation and computed tomography angiography demonstrated portal vein, mesenteric vein and splenic vein thrombosis. The patient was discharged from hospital after active treatment.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should pay attention to venous thrombosis, colonic necrosis and septic shock in UC patients. Close observation of surgical indications and timely surgical intervention are the key to reduce mortality and complications in UC.

Core tip: Severe total colonic necrosis, septic shock and venous thromboembolism are rare but life-threatening complications of ulcerative colitis. Possibility of colonic necrosis in ulcerative colitis should be considered and close observation of surgical indications and timely surgical intervention are the key to reduce mortality and complications in ulcerative colitis.

INTRODUCTION

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease, is easy to relapse, and prognosis is poor once there are complications[1]. Patients with UC have mucosal inflammation, which may extend continuously to the entire colon[2]. Total colonic necrosis, a complication in UC, is rarely reported and can be life threating. We present a patient with UC who developed total colonic necrosis, septic shock and venous thromboembolism (VTE) accompanied by acute kidney injury (AKI). The patient was successfully treated with emergency surgery and support therapies. This case suggests that occurrence of colonic necrosis in UC should be noticed, and timely colectomy should be performed to prevent critical complications.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 36-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, diarrhea, mucus blood, pus and recurrent tenesmus attacks.

History of present illness

Her condition was improved with fecal microbiota transplantation. Nine days later, she complained of anuria, vomiting and diarrhea, which were more severe than before.

History of past illness

The patient was diagnosed with UC ten years previously. She was maintained on mesalazine and prednisone but without comprehensive treatment.

Physical examination

About 100 mL dark colored urine was drained, and bloody fluid was discharged from the urethral catheter. She appeared dyspneic with cold clammy limbs, increased pulse rate, abdominal cavity pressure of 25 mmHg and grade IV abdominal hypertension[3].

Laboratory and imaging examinations

The endoscopy demonstrated total colonic wall thickening, erosions in luminal surface of colon, hyperemia, friability, bleeding and ulcerations (Figure 1). Laboratory tests revealed white blood count of 40.77 × 10⁹/L, red blood count of 2.41 × 10¹²/L, hemoglobin of 60 G/L and sequential organ failure assessment scores of 10 (Table 1). Emergent computed tomography showed suspicious thin perforations at rectosigmoid colon and massive ascites (Figure 2).

Figure 1.

Endoscopy demonstrated total colonic wall thickening, erosions in luminal surface of colon, hyperemia, friability, bleeding and ulcerations.

Table 1.

Sepsis-related organ failure assessment score

System	Assessment	Index	Score
Respiratory	PaO2/FiO2  (mmHg)	382 (153/0.4)	1
Coagulation	Platelets×109/L	53	2
Liver	Bilirubin  (mg/dL)	25.9	1
Cardiovascular	Mean arterial pressure	70 mmHg	0
Central nervous system	Glasgow coma scale score	15	0
Renal	Creatinine, mg/dL; Urine output, mL/d	215.2; 100	2 4
Total score			10

Figure 2.

Thin flaws and perforations at rectosigmoid colon and a large amount of fluid in abdominal cavity and pelvis were found by emergency computed tomography.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Septic shock, colonic perforation, UC, acute renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation and severe anemia.

TREATMENT

She underwent urgent total proctocolectomy and ileostomy. During surgery, massive ascites, total colonic necrosis, edema and dilatation of small intestine were observed (Figure 3) but with no obvious perforation and arterial thrombosis. The ascites culture was negative. Histopathological examination of the resected colon showed mucosal inflammation, necrosis and hemorrhage (Figure 4). After etiological treatment, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit. Her symptoms were alleviated, and urine excretion was normal with maintenance of renal perfusion. Ascites fluid of 1880-3880 mL was drained daily for 7 d in the intensive care unit. The possibility of thrombosis was considered. Following anticoagulant therapy, the volume of ascites was reduced gradually. The condition of the patient gradually improved after active treatment. Computed tomography angiography displayed thrombosis in the trunk of portal vein and its intrahepatic branches, the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein (Figure 5). The patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital after antibacterial, anticoagulant and nutritional support treatment.

Figure 3.

Total colonic necrosis was seen during operation.

Figure 4.

Histopathological examination of the resected colon in the patient showed extensive hemorrhage, necrosis and exudation involving the whole intestinal wall and the extraserous adipose tissue.

Figure 5.

Plain computed tomography scanning and contrast enhancement of abdomen display thrombosis in the trunk of portal vein and its intrahepatic branches, the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein.

DISCUSSION

UC affects the colon and most commonly afflicting young adults aged 30-40 years[4]. UC complicated with total colonic necrosis has not been reported, and the mortality rate of septic shock secondary to colon necrosis is extremely high. Such severe UC is potentially a life-threatening condition that requires attention and early recognition[5]. The present patient had a long course of UC involving the whole colon. Fecal microbiota transplantation through the jejunum tube does not damage the colon. Related factors for colon necrosis in this patient included non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia, shock and long-term inflammation. Immediate surgical intervention for refractory UC could improve outcomes[6]. Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the most commonly performed surgery for UC.

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an overwhelming immune response to infection[7]. Septic shock is associated with a greater risk of mortality than sepsis alone[8]. Sepsis with a sequential organ failure assessment score of ≥ 2 in a patient with suspected infection indicates a risk of death[9]. The sequential organ failure assessment score of our patient was 10 and was highly associated with serious infection. Total colonic necrosis is the etiology of sepsis. Tissue hypoperfusion accompanied by septic shock, if persistent may lead to organ dysfunction and failure[10]. The cases of AKI account for more than 50% in sepsis[11]. Septic AKI is diagnosed with an increase in serum creatinine or a decrease in urinary output[12]. The patient developed anuria after abdominal pain, which is a sign of renal dysfunction. The compression of the renal artery by abdominal hypertension is also one of the causes of AKI. In this case, the renal function recovered, making computed tomography angiography imaging possible. Source control measures are important in the treatment of abdominal sepsis[13]. Removal of total colonic necrosis helps alleviate septic shock and lower the abdominal pressure. Volume resuscitation, vasopressor and antimicrobial therapy are the main treatments for septic shock[14]. Manifestations of sepsis depends on the infection, the organ dysfunction, the underlying health condition of the patient and the aggressive treatment used[15]. Septic shock in this patient was caused by abdominal infection and characterized by coagulation disorders and AKI rather than circulatory and respiratory dysfunctions.

The risk of VTE in patients with UC is 3-4 times higher than that in the normal population with an overall incidence up to 7%[16], especially in those with a long-term use of prednisone. VTE is associated with disease activity in UC[17]. Portal vein thrombosis and mesenteric venous thrombosis in our patient were severe complications associated with UC and surgery. The prevalence of portal vein thrombosis in the general population is about 1%[18]. A large amount of ascites before, during and after surgery was considered to be associated with portal vein thrombosis, but angiography could not be performed in these patients because of AKI. Patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis can present with acute abdominal pain, but most of them have vague clinical presentation, which makes it difficult to be diagnosed in time[19]. VTE is often a critical condition and anti-coagulate therapy should be given as soon as the diagnosis is made[20]. It is important to prevent VTE during hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Early computed tomography angiography is necessary in patients with severe UC. Total colonic necrosis is a rare complication in UC. If medical therapy fails, close observation of surgical indications and timely colectomy should be performed to prevent critical complications.