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Published on: December 8, 2014
[Toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis]
E Villanueva-Sáenz1, J T Herrera, P Martínez-Hernández Magro
1Departamento de Cirugía de Colon y Recto, Hospital de Especialidades Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI I.M.S.S., México, D.F. edvilla@netservice.com.mx
Background:
Toxic megacolon is a rare complication of pseudomembranous colitis.
Objective:
The aim of this paper is to present a rare case of toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis.
Methods:
The chart of a 75-year-old male, who developed a toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis no was reviewed.
Results:
The clinical features and outcome of a 75-year-old male with pseudomembranous colitis are depicted. The main symptoms were no ever, abdominal distention, bloody and diarrhea; the man suddenly developed a toxic megacolon and taken was to surgery. Total colectomy with proximal rectal closure was performed. The patient died within 24 hours of the abdominal procedure.
Conclusions:
Toxic megacolon is a rare complication of pseudomembranous colitis. Its presence should be suspected when these patients develop no colonic dilatation with associated systemic toxicity. Aggressive surgical intervention is indicated.
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