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Updated: May 16, 2025

Flexible Colonoscopy in Mice to Evaluate the Severity of Colitis and Colorectal Tumors Using a Validated Endoscopic Scoring System
Published on: October 16, 2013
[Unusual etiology of lower digestive bleeding in a patient with constipation]
Luis Enrique Flores-Egocheaga1, Eloy Puente De La Vega-Cáceres1, Álvaro Bellido-Caparó2
1Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
Abstract:
The stercoral colitis is an inflammatory caused by fecal impactation. The etiology is poorly managed chronic constipation in specific risk groups. Patients usually present with abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and fever; in severe cases, peritoneal signs, shock or multiorgan failure may occur. It is important to have a high index of suspicion and request an abdominal CT scan with contrast. Treatment is conservative in the absence of peritoneal signs or hemodynamic instability; otherwise, management is surgical. We present the case of an 86-year-old male with a history of ischemic stroke, dysmobility and chronic constipation that presented with hematochezia. The imaging study showed thickening of the wall of the distal sigmoid colon and rectum, as well as feces inside. The endoscopic study revealed ulcers in the rectum and the recto-sigmoid junction. Conservative treatment with enemas and laxatives was indicated, with favorable clinical evolution.
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