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PubMed2004

Transverse to descending colon volvulus and megacolon with mesenterium commune: report of a case.

We report a case of volvulus of the transverse-descending (T-D) colon and megacolon associated with mesenterium commune. A 70-year-old man was referred to our hospital for investigation of severe constipation and abdominal fullness. On physical examination, his abdomen was remarkably distended with generalized tenderness, and weak bowel sounds. Abdominal X-ray showed megacolon at the splenic flexure and a contrast medium enema study showed tapering of the upper rectum. Accordingly, under a diagnosis of T-D colon volvulus, we performed an emergency operation to release the colon volvulus. The intraoperative findings showed a volvulus of the T-D colon with mesenterium commune. The patient recovered uneventfully and his symptoms resolved; however, a postoperative barium enema showed residual megacolon at the splenic flexure.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Surgical treatment of a sigmoid volvulus associated with megacolon: report of a case.

Sigmoid volvulus occurring concomitantly with megacolon is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction, and various approaches to treatment have been proposed. We report herein a case of sigmoid volvulus with megacolon that was successfully treated by elective surgery following endoscopic reduction during the same hospital stay. A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, distension, and severe constipation. Physical examination, plain abdominal X-ray, and barium enema confirmed a sigmoid volvulus and further examinations revealed concomitant megacolon. An elective sigmoid colectomy was performed following successful endoscopic decompression. The postoperative course was uneventful and there was no residual colonic dysmotility. Histologically, no aganglionic tissue was observed in the resected specimen.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2006

Trypanosoma cruzi: typing of genotype (sub)lineages in megacolon samples from bolivian patients.

Visceral dystrophy, a clinical complication of Chagas' disease, is more frequent in southern cone countries in South America, where Trypanosoma cruzi II (TcII) lineage predominates in human infection. As this major TcII lineage is not homogeneous population and its (sub)lineages are not geographically distributed evenly, therefore, we investigated the possible relationship between parasite (sub)lineages in megacolon patients. We typified the T. cruzi lineages and (sub)lineages in megacolon samples from 18 patients using kDNA probes specific of lineage TcI, TcIIb, TcIId and TcIIe. The majority of the samples (16/18) were (sub)lineage TcIId positive. However, two samples were positive for (sub)lineage TcIIb. Two synthetic probes discriminated variants of lineage TcIId. Proportion of TcIId variants encountered were 6/16, 6/16 and 4/16, similar to the distribution of Chagasic populations in Bolivia. Our data suggest that there is no preferential tropism of one particular lineage or variant of T. cruzi II in megacolon pathology.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Toxic megacolon complicating Escherichia coli O157 infection.

Toxic megacolon is a well known complication in inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. The development of toxic megacolon as a complication of infectious colitis is rare. However it is recognised as a complication of enteric infections caused by Clostridium difficile, Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella, Salmonella species, Cytomegalovirus and amoebae. We describe a case of necrotising haemorrhagic ileo-colitis in a previously fit and healthy young adult female caused by Escherichia coli O157 where toxic megacolon developed as a complication along with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toxic megacolon: role of CT in evaluation and detection of complications.

The purpose of this study is to determine the role of CT in the evaluation and in detecting complications in patients with toxic megacolon. A retrospective analysis of CT findings of 18 consecutive patients with toxic megacolon was performed. Underlying etiology included 12 patients with pseudomembranous colitis (PC), four patients with ulcerative colitis and two patients with cytomegalovirus colitis. Eleven patients were HIV+. CT features, correlation with severity of disease and development of complications were analyzed. Colonic dilatation with intraluminal air and/or fluid with a distorted colonic contour or an ahaustral pattern was seen in all patients. In four patients (22%), CT depicted complications-two colonic perforations and two septic thrombosis of the portal system. Six patients died (33%), three of whom had the above complications. The presence and degree of submucosal edema (accordion sign, target sign), wall thickening, degree of dilatation, nodular contour and ascites did not correlate with clinical outcome. Two thirds of patients with toxic megacolon had PC as the underlying etiology. CT was helpful in depicting diffuse colitis, and it was instrumental in detecting life-threatening abdominal complications, contributing to the management of these patients. CT abnormalities cannot be used to predict the clinical outcome unless complications develop.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Enteric nerves and interstitial cells of Cajal are altered in patients with slow-transit constipation and megacolon.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A variety of gastrointestinal motility disorders have been attributed to alterations of interstitial cells of Cajal and malformations of the enteric nervous system. This study evaluates both the distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal and the pathohistology of the enteric nervous system in 2 severe human colorectal motility disorders. METHODS: Colonic specimens obtained from patients with slow-transit constipation (n = 11), patients with megacolon (n = 6), and a control group (n = 13, nonobstructing neoplasia) were stained with antibodies against c-kit (marker for interstitial cells of Cajal) and protein gene product 9.5 (neuronal marker). The morphometric analysis of interstitial cells of Cajal included the separate registration of the number and process length within the different regions of the muscularis propria. The structural architecture of the enteric nervous system was assessed on microdissected whole-mount preparations. RESULTS: In patients with slow-transit constipation, the number of interstitial cells of Cajal was significantly decreased in all layers except the outer longitudinal muscle layer. The myenteric plexus showed a reduced ganglionic density and size (moderate hypoganglionosis) compared with the control group. Patients with megacolon were characterized by a substantial decrease in both the number and the process length of interstitial cells of Cajal. The myenteric plexus exhibited either complete aganglionosis or severe hypoganglionosis. CONCLUSIONS: The enteric nervous system and interstitial cells of Cajal are altered concomitantly in slow-transit constipation and megacolon and may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of colorectal motility disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[The development of a toxic megacolon due to Amanita phalloides poisoning. A rare complication].

HISTORY: A 71-year-old previously healthy man consumed a mushroom meal containing Amanita phalloides, which he had confused with Agaricus campestris. Approximately 8 hours later, typical gastrointestinal symptoms began with copious loss of fluids. Treatment with penicillin G was initiated followed by a continuous silibinin infusion before the patient was transferred to our toxicological department. Other than a transient tachycardia and diffuse pain on abdominal palpation clinical examination was without abnormal findings. INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory findings showed severe hepatic damage with 100-fold increased transaminases, elevation of serum creatinine, hyperbilirubinemia and a serious disturbance of coagulation. Infection with HIV, hepatitis- and CMV as well as pathogenic enteric bacteria and antibiotic-associated pseudo-membranous colitis were excluded. 11 days after the mushroom meal x-ray of abdomen showed a 6 cm dilatation of the small intestine and an 8 cm dilatation of the colon. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: Although clinical condition and laboratory findings nearly fulfilled transplantation criteria, hepatic injury resolved during intensive care therapy. Intractable diarrhea, dilatation of the intestine on x-ray as well as other findings met criteria of toxic megacolon. Therapy with antibiotics and systemic steroids was ineffective, so the patient needed decompression by a catheter, which was placed by colonoscopy. 30 days after the serious amanita poisoning complicated by development of toxic megacolon, the patient's condition resolved without sequelae and he was discharged. CONCLUSIONS: In addition the well known complications of amanita-poisoning, such as hepatic failure, encephalopathy and multi-organ failure, involvement of other organs like bone marrow, pancreas, kidney and gastrointestinal tract (except for the initial cholera-like gastroenteritis) are not well documented in the literature. Uncommon complications like toxic megacolon require an empirical approach.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Chagasic megacolon and proximal jejunum microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Among other factors, control of jejunal microflora depends on intestinal emptiness, and it can be impaired by Chagas disease. This study was developed to identify the microecology of the proximal jejunum in chagasic megacolon. Our objective was to characterize both the jejunal microbial stasis before surgery and the microflora after surgical treatment in patients with chagasic megacolon. METHODS: The intestinal fluids were collected, and the proximal jejunum microflora was analyzed. RESULTS: Preoperative microflora had shown an increase in bacteria compatible with bacterial overgrowth syndrome, mainly facultative and strict anaerobes microorganisms and fungi. The microflora had changed in the postoperative period in 83% of these patients, with significant decrease in the number of transient microorganisms. CONCLUSIONS: Chagasic megacolon was related to an increase in jejunal microflora. By removing the impairment of the colon there was a transient decrease in the proximal jejunum microflora.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

The treatment and postoperative complications of congenital megacolon: A 25 year followup.

In 1948 one of us (O.S.) proposed a new method of treatment, abdominoperineal resection, for patients with congential megacolon. Since then, 483 patients have been treated by 13 pediatric surgeons in Chicago and Boston using this technique. Two hundred and eight-two of the patients were last interviewed and examined more than 5 years after the resection. There were 16 postoperative deaths (3.3%) and 6 late deaths (1.2%) from enterocolitis. Both early and late complications were infrequent and are discussed in detail. Almost 90% of the patients reported that they now have normal bowel habits. None of the patients developed urinary incontinence or impotence, although ten patients (2.1%) reported permanent fecal soiling. This is the first large group of patients treated for congenital megacolon who have been followed to adulthood. The low incidence of postoperative complications and minimal frequency of long-term complications indicate that the abdominoperineal resection is a safe, effective method of treatment for congenital megacolon.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Medical decompression of toxic megacolon by "rolling". A new technique of decompression with favorable long-term follow-up.

We treated 19 consecutive patients with toxic megacolon complicating inflammatory bowel disease with the usual intensive medical regimen, but also added a new technique, namely, the frequent rolling of the patient to the prone position in order to redistribute colonic gas and thereby promote decompression. In all 19 patients (100%) the colon was decompressed within 1-13 days (mean 4.9 days). Two patients (10.5%) died. In long-term follow-up (mean 6.5 years), only 4 of the 17 survivors (21%) ultimately required colectomy; the remaining 13 (68%) were either completely well or only minimally symptomatic and did not require steroids. Most reports on the management of toxic megacolon stress the need for early surgical intervention, but our success in decompression with the addition of the "rolling technique" suggests an improvement in the nonoperative management of toxic megacolon.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Toxic megacolon: the knee-elbow position relieves bowel distension.

Toxic megacolon complicating inflammatory or infective colitis carries a high morbidity and mortality and surgical intervention is necessary in up to 80% of cases. Perforation complicates toxic megacolon in about 35% of cases. After perforation, the death rate nears 50%. Gaseous distension of the bowel causes considerable discomfort to the patient and increases transmural pressure. The latter is thought to cause a reduction in blood flow and may predispose to perforation. The use of instruments for colonic aspiration is discouraged, because of the high risk of perforation. The successful use of the knee-elbow position to relieve bowel distension in two patients with toxic megacolon is described.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Pathology of idiopathic megarectum and megacolon.

BACKGROUND: The aetiology and pathology of both idiopathic megarectum and idiopathic megacolon are unknown. In particular, it is unknown whether there are abnormalities involving enteric nerves or smooth muscle. METHODS: Resected tissue was examined from 24 patients who underwent surgery for idiopathic megarectum, from six patients who had tissue resected for idiopathic megacolon, and 17 control patients who had surgery for non-obstructing large bowel cancer. Qualitative and quantitative histological examination was performed after staining with haematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff (PAS), Martius scarlet blue (MSB), and phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin (PTAH). Neural and glial tissue were examined after immuno-staining with S100 and PGP9.5. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients with idiopathic megarectum had significant thickening of their muscularis mucosae (median 78 v 33 microns, p < 0.005), circular muscle (1000 v 633 microns, p < 0.005), and longitudinal muscle (1083 v 303 microns, p < 0.005), despite rectal dilatation. This thickening was relatively greater in the longitudinal than in the circular muscle. Fibrosis of the longitudinal muscle was seen, using MSB staining, in 58%, of circular muscle in 38%, and of muscularis mucosae in 29% of patients. The relation between muscle thickening and fibrosis was variable. The density of neural tissue in the longitudinal muscle seemed to be reduced in patients with idiopathic megarectum. There was no thickening of enteric muscle or alteration in the density of innervation in patients with idiopathic megacolon. CONCLUSION: There is notable thickening of the enteric smooth muscle in patients with idiopathic megarectum, but the architecture of the enteric innervation seems to be intact. Functional abnormalities of the latter remain a possible cause of the smooth muscle hypertrophy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association of chagasic megacolon and cancer of the colon: case report and review of the literature.

There are few descriptions of association between chagasic megacolon and colon cancer. We report a case of obstructive abdomen caused by adenocarcinoma of the left colon in chagasic megacolon. A review of the literature revealed 8 cases of this association and, analyzing together the series of findings of cancer in chagasic organomegalies, we found a frequency of 4.8% in megaesophagus and 0.1% in megacolon.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Morphometric study of the fibrosis and mast cell count in the circular colon musculature of chronic Chagas patients with and without megacolon.

A morphometric study of the circular colon musculature was performed, in which the mast cell count was determined and the connective fibrous tissue in this layer was measured. The objective was to gain better understanding of Chagas megacolon morphology and contribute towards the knowledge of fibrosis pathogenesis in Chagas megas. An evaluation was made of 15 distal sigmoid rings from Chagas patients with megacolon (MCC), 15 without megacolon (CSMC) and 15 non-Chagas patients (NC). The rings were fixed in formol, embedded in paraffin, and 7mm thick sections were cut and stained using Azan-Heidenhain and Giemsa. The mast cell count and fibrosis were greater in the MCC group than in the CSMC and NC groups (p< 0,05; Kruskal-Wallis test) and there was no significant difference between the latter two. The fibrosis and increased mast cell count in the colon musculature of the MCC group possibly indicates that there is a relationship between mastocytosis and fibrosis, as has already been demonstrated in other pathologies.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1993

[Two elderly cases of megacolon associated with cerebral infarction and diabetes mellitus].

The authors experienced two elderly patients of megacolon associated with cerebral infarction and diabetes mellitus. The first patient was a 66-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital for rehabilitation with a complaint of knee pain. She had suffered from diabetes mellitus since she was 30 years old and multiple cerebral infarction since age 62. Two months after admission, she had an episode of abdominal distension and obstructive symptoms. The roentgenograms of her abdomen showed diffuse dilatation of the colon. The second patient was a 78-year-old female admitted to our hospital with complaints of abdominal pain, distension of the abdomen and vomiting. Her abdomen was severely distended and plain roentgenograms of the abdomen, X-ray studies of the colon with the aid of contrast medium and CT scan of the abdomen showed striking dilatation of the colon. Megacolon may be congenital or acquired, and in acquired forms the conditions are secondary to organic diseases, smooth muscle atrophy, metabolic and neurological diseases, ulcerative colitis or psychogenic origin (idiopathic). The two patients in this series were suffered from cerebral infarction and diabetes mellitus. The mechanisms of megacolon seen in these two patients are not known, but involvement of the visceral autonomic innervation is presumed. Some elderly patients have chronic constipation, and dilatation of the colon may not be uncommon due to underlying diseases or drugs. Therefore, when examining elderly patients, careful attention should be paid to their bowel movement.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Toxic megacolon: surgical timing important!].

Toxic megacolon is defined as a fulminant attack of colitis with total or segmental dilatation of the colon. Toxic megacolon is mostly a complication of nonspecific ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis but it may also occur in pseudomembranous colitis and other forms of infectious colitis. Toxic dilatation of the colon is a sign of transmural acute inflammation in which perforation of the colon is impending or may already have occurred. Free perforation means a fourfold increase in the mortality of a fulminant attack of colitis. Dilatation of the colon is not by itself an indication for immediate operation. The dilatation may increase, fluctuate or even disappear, leaving the patient still severely ill with toxic colitis requiring immediate surgery. The indication and optimal timing of surgical intervention require optimal interdisciplinary collaboration between surgeons and gastroenterologists. The procedure of choice for surgical treatment of toxic megacolon is colectomy and ileostomy. The mortality and morbidity of urgent surgery have been decreased by avoiding rectal excision. The rectal stump is either closed as a pelvic Hartmann's pouch or the sigmoid remnant is exteriorized as a mucous fistula or closed subcutaneously. Progress in intensive therapy and perioperative patient management has relegated simple decompression by diverting loop ileostomy and skin-level colostomy as advocated by Turnbull et al nearly 30 years ago to the role of an obsolete procedure which seems hardly ever preferable to resection of the diseased bowel.

Colectomy↗
PubMed1999

Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of feline idiopathic megacolon.

Many cats have one or two episodes of constipation without further recurrence, although others progress to complete colonic failure. Middle-aged male cats are particularly at risk for the clinical continuum of constipation, obstipation, and dilated megacolon. Pelvic canal stenosis and nerve injury are minor causes in the development of this syndrome. In most affected cats, the underlying pathogenesis appears to involve colonic smooth muscle dysfunction. In this group of cats, it is not yet clear whether this disorder represents a primary or secondary (resulting from long-standing constipation and colonic distension) abnormality. Many cats with mild to moderate constipation respond to conservative medical management (e.g., dietary fiber supplementation, emollient or hyperosmotic laxatives, colonic prokinetic agents). Indeed, early use of colonic prokinetic agents is likely to prevent the progression of constipation of obstipation and dilated megacolon in many cats. Some cats may become refractory to these therapies, however, as they progress through moderate or recurrent constipation to obstipation and dilated megacolon. These cats eventually require colectomy. Cats have a generally favorable prognosis for recovery following colectomy, although mild to moderate diarrhea may persist for 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively in some cases.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toxic megacolon in Salmonella colitis: report of two cases.

Toxic megacolon is a complication that usually presents in inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. It also occurs in typhoid fever, acute bacillary dysentery, amebic colitis, ischemic colitis, pseudomembranous colitis and severe salmonellosis. This report describes the occurrence of toxic megacolon in two young children with Salmonella colitis manifesting as abdominal distension, diarrhea and fever. The clinical course of these two cases suggests that toxic megacolon is a severe complication of salmonellosis in children, irrespective of the use of antibiotics. In the light of its paucity in children and severity, accurate diagnosis and appropriate intensive medical-surgical management is essential.

Colitis↗