Megacolon

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Megacolon
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Abdominal distension, pain, fever, rapid heart rate
Complications	Perforation, sepsis, shock
Onset
Duration
Types	Toxic megacolon, Congenital megacolon
Causes	Hirschsprung's disease, Chagas disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, pseudomembranous colitis
Risks
Diagnosis	Abdominal X-ray, CT scan, colonoscopy
Differential diagnosis	Ileus, bowel obstruction
Prevention
Treatment	Bowel rest, intravenous fluids, surgery
Medication	Antibiotics, corticosteroids
Prognosis
Frequency
Deaths	N/A

Megacolon

Megacolon is an abnormal dilation of the colon (also known as the large intestine) that is not caused by mechanical obstruction. The dilation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the peristaltic movements of the bowel. In more extreme cases, the feces consolidate into hard masses inside the colon, called fecalomas. The condition is often classified into two types, Congenital megacolon and Acquired megacolon.

Causes

Megacolon can be associated with several conditions. The most common types are:

• Congenital megacolon: This is also known as Hirschsprung's disease. It is caused by the absence of nerve cells in the muscles of the colon.
• Acquired megacolon: This can be caused by a number of factors including Chagas disease, an infection that damages the nerves in the colon, and chronic constipation.

Toxic megacolon

Symptoms

Symptoms of megacolon can include:

• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Chronic constipation
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• In severe cases, fecal impaction

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of megacolon can be made through a variety of tests, including:

• X-ray: An X-ray of the abdomen can show if the colon is enlarged.
• Colonoscopy: This test allows the doctor to view the inside of the colon.
• Manometry: This test measures the pressure inside the colon.

Treatment

Treatment for megacolon often involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This can include:

• Medication: Drugs that stimulate the muscles in the colon can help improve bowel movements.
• Surgery: In severe cases, part or all of the colon may need to be removed.

See also

• Hirschsprung's disease
• Chagas disease
• Chronic constipation

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