Stercoral ulcer

Stercoral Ulcer

Stercoral ulcer (/stɜːrˈkɔːrəl ˈʌlsər/), from the Latin stercus meaning "feces", is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the development of ulcers in the large intestine due to chronic constipation and fecal impaction.

Definition

A stercoral ulcer is a pressure ulcer that forms on the wall of the colon when hardened stool (fecaloma) persistently presses against the mucosa. This pressure can lead to ischemia, necrosis, and ultimately, ulceration. If left untreated, a stercoral ulcer can perforate, leading to peritonitis and potentially fatal complications.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a stercoral ulcer can vary, but often include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. In severe cases, symptoms of peritonitis, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, and signs of septic shock, may be present.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a stercoral ulcer typically involves a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and imaging studies. Colonoscopies and CT scans are often used to visualize the ulcer and assess its severity.

Treatment

Treatment of a stercoral ulcer involves addressing the underlying cause of constipation and fecal impaction. This can involve dietary changes, medications, and in severe cases, surgery to remove the impacted stool and repair the ulcer.

Related Terms

• Fecaloma
• Large intestine
• Peritonitis
• Colonoscopy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Stercoral ulcer
• Wikipedia's article - Stercoral ulcer

This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

---

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski