Abstract
Glutaraldehyde (2% solution) is an effective and widely used disinfecting solution for cold sterilization of endoscopic instruments. Direct contact of glutaraldehyde solution with colonic mucosa can cause self-limited colitis. As it rarely occurs as a complication of colonoscopy, glutaraldehyde-induced colitis is generally reported only as case reports in the literature. We report three cases of glutaraldehyde-induced colitis after colonoscopy. All lesions resolved with supportive treatment. We stress the need for thorough rinsing of the surface and channels of the endoscope with water to avoid the occurrence of this complication.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rozen P, Somjen GJ, Baratz M, Kimel R, Arber N, Gilat T. Endoscope-induced colitis: description, probable cause by glutaraldehyde and prevention. Gastrointest Endosc 1994;40:547–553.
Yen HH, Chen YY. Glutaraldehyde colitis. Endoscopy 2006;38(Suppl. 2):E98.
Ahiskali E, Bayramicli OU, Dolapcioglu C, et al. Chemical colitis due to glutaraldehyde: case series and review of the literature. Dig Dis Sci 2009;54:2541–2545.
Sheibani S, Gerson LB. Chemical colitis. J Clin Gastroenterol 2008;42:115–121.
Stein BL, Lamoureux E, Miller M, Vasilevsky CA, Julien L, Gordon PH. Glutaraldehyde-induced colitis. Can J Surg 2001;44:113–116.
Ballantyne B, Jordan SL. Toxicological, medical and industrial hygiene aspects of glutaraldehyde with particular reference to its biocidal use in cold sterilization procedures. J Appl Toxicol 2001;21:131–151.
ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, Banerjee S, Shen B, Nelson DB, et al. Infection control during GI endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc 2008;67:781–790.
Hanson JM, Plusa SM, Bennett MK, Browell DA, Cunliffe WJ. Glutaraldehyde as a possible cause of diarrhoea after sigmoidoscopy. Br J Surg 1998;85:1385–1387.
Jonas G, Mahoney A, Murray J, Gertler S. Chemical colitis due to endoscope cleaning solutions: a mimic of pseudomembranous colitis. Gastroenterology 1988;95:1403–1408.
Zissin R, Gayer G, Maor-Kendler Y. CT findings of glutaraldehyde colitis: a report of two cases. Clin Radiol 1999;54:123–125.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kurdaş, O.Ö., Sezikli, M., Çetinkaya, Z.A. et al. Glutaraldehyde-induced colitis: three case reports. Indian J Gastroenterol 28, 221–223 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-009-0082-4
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-009-0082-4