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Megacolon is an abnormal dilation of the colon (also called the large intestine). [1] [2] This leads to hypertrophy of the colon. [2]The dilation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the peristaltic movements of the bowel.
Ogilvie syndrome, or acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, is the acute dilatation of the colon in the absence of any mechanical obstruction in severely ill patients. [1]Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is characterized by massive dilatation of the cecum (diameter > 10 cm) and right colon on abdominal X-ray.
It may occur in chronic obstruction of stool transit, as in megacolon [10] and chronic constipation. Some diseases, such as Chagas disease, Hirschsprung's disease and others damage the autonomic nervous system in the colon's mucosa (Auerbach's plexus) and may cause extremely large or "giant" fecalomas, which must be surgically removed ...
Toxic megacolon in a patient with ulcerative colitis: The patient subsequently underwent a colectomy. A pathological specimen showing toxic megacolon. The pathological process involves inflammation and damage to the colonic wall with unknown toxins breaking down the protective mucosal barrier and exposing the muscularis propria. [4]
Other symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and slow growth. [1] Most children develop signs and symptoms shortly after birth. However, others may be diagnosed later in infancy or early childhood. [4] [5] About half of all children with Hirschsprung's disease are diagnosed in the first year of life. [4]
Many patients eventually require parenteral nutrition. [15] Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a form of long-term nutritional treatment reserved for patients that have severe pseudo-obstruction. TPN dependent patients require frequent checkups to monitor catheter function, check liver enzyme levels, and evaluate for signs of blood infections ...
Grade 1 colitis does not result in any symptoms, while grade 2 colitis leads to abdominal pain, mucous and blood in the stools. Grade 3 colitis is defined by severe pain, peritoneal signs and ileus. Grade 4 colitis is defined by life-threatening consequences, including perforation, ischemia, necrosis, bleeding, or toxic megacolon.
A medical triad is a group of three signs or symptoms, the result of injury to three organs, which characterise a specific medical condition. The appearance of all three signs conjoined together in another patient, points to that the patient has the same medical condition, or diagnosis.