Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
Idiopathic megabowel causing acute bowel obstruction: A case report
Hazem Beji1,2, Fatma Najib1,2, Asma Zaiem1,2
1Department of General Surgery A, Hospital La Rabta, Tunis, Tunisia.
Background:
Idiopathic megabowel is a rare condition. Its physiopathology is still unclear. We report a case of a patient presenting with acute bowel obstruction due to idiopathic megacolon and megarectum that was successfully treated with proctocolectomy.
Case Presentation:
A 65-year-old man, with a history of chronic constipation, presented to the emergency with acute bowel obstruction symptoms.His CT scan on admission showed a very dilated rectum and sigmoid colon filled with faeces. The patient was managed conservatively.Due to the deterioration of his condition. We opted for an emergency laparotomy and it revealed the important dilation of the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the rectum leading to a Hartmann procedure.degenerative lesions of the smooth muscle layers were seen on the histopthological report and the diagnosis of rectosigmoid idiopathic megacolon was made.Postoperatively, we performed a rectoscopy that showed a distended rectum full of faeces.We performed a proctectomy with colo-anal anastomosis. He had an uneventful recovery.
Conclusion:
Idiopathic megacolon is a rare condition. The pathogenesis is still unclear. Surgical treatment is the best option to prevent complications and to improve the quality of life of the patient.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...