toxic megacolon

megacolon /mega·co·lon/ (meg´ah-ko″lon) dilatation and hypertrophy of the colon.

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acquired megacolon  colonic enlargement associated with chronic constipation, but with normal ganglion cell innervation.

aganglionic megacolon , congenital megacolon Hirschsprung's disease; that due to congenital lack of myenteric ganglion cells in a segment of the large bowel, with loss of motor function in that segment and massive dilatation of the colon proximally.

idiopathic megacolon  acquired m.

toxic megacolon  that associated with amebic or ulcerative colitis.

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toxic megacolon

n.

Acute dilation of the colon, seen in ulcerative colitis.

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Toxic megacolon

Acute enlargement or dilation of the large intestine.

Mentioned in: Antibiotic-Associated Colitis

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megacolon

(meg´kō´ln),
n an abnormal dilation of the colon that may be congenital, toxic, or acquired.

megacolon, acquired,

n a result of a chronic refusal to defecate, usually occurring in children who are psychotic or mentally retarded.

megacolon, congenital,

n caused by the absence of autonomic ganglia in the smooth muscle wall of the colon.

megacolon, toxic,

n a serious complication of ulcerative colitis that may result in perforation of the colon, septicemia, and death.

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toxic megacolon

Acute megacolon, toxic dilation of colon Gastroenterology A life-threatening complication of GI disease, resulting in transmural inflammation and toxic Sx due to colonic dilation Etiology ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, amebiasis, pseudomembranous colitis, typhoid, bacterial dysentery, Hirschsprung's disease Clinical Abdominal pain, distension, fever, tachycardia, fatigue, dehydration, ↓ bowel sounds, tympany, rebound tenderness, hypotension Contributing factors Laxatives, opiate use, anticholinergics, hypopotassemia Lab Leukocytosis–> 20,000/mm3, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, ↓ K+ Complications Perforation, peritonitis, septicemia Management Resuscitation, metabolic support, correct fluid and electrolyte derangements, corticosteroids, subtotal colectomy and ileostomy, salvage rectal sphincter if possible. Cf Megacolon.