Toxic megacolon
Definition
Toxic megacolon is a life-threatening complication of other intestinal conditions that causes rapid widening (dilation) of part of the large intestine within 1 to a few days.
Alternative Names
Toxic dilation of the colon; MegarectumCauses
This is a complication of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and some infections of the colon. Other forms of megacolon exist and can be congenital (present since birth) or associated with some forms of constipation.
References
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
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