Buried bumper syndrome causing rectus abdominis necrosis in a man with tetraplegia
1Spinal Cord Injury, VA Boston Healthcare System/Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Pkwy, SCI-128, West Roxbury, MA 02132, USA. tova.johnson@va.gov
Study Design:
Case report.
Objectives:
To enhance the early recognition of buried bumper syndrome in patients with tetraplegia requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).
Setting:
Inpatient unit, Massachusetts, USA.
Methods:
A 44 year-old man with C2 American Spinal Injury Association grade A tetraplegia with a relatively recent PEG insertion secondary to poor nutritional intake.
Results:
Several months after PEG placement, patient became febrile, hypotensive and complained of abdominal pain. Plain films showed a dilated bowel suggestive of ileus. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography with and without contrast revealed PEG tube dislodgement, and a 21 cm x 2.8 cm left anterior abdominal wall collection consisting of air and contrast. Upon surgical intervention, the left rectus abdominis sheath and muscle were found to be necrotic.
Conclusion:
Buried bumper syndrome is a serious complication related to PEG tubes. For many people with tetraplegia, PEG is a life-saving procedure with minimal risks. However, emergencies do occur, making prompt recognition imperative to prevent a fatal sequela.
