Toxic Megacolon Overview
Learn About Toxic Megacolon
Toxic megacolon occurs when swelling and inflammation spread into the deeper layers of your colon. As a result, the colon stops working and widens. In severe cases, the colon may rupture.
Toxic dilation of the colon; Megarectum; Inflammatory bowel disease - toxic megacolon; Crohn disease - toxic megacolon; Ulcerative colitis - toxic megacolon
The term "toxic" means that this problem is very dangerous. Toxic megacolon may occur in people with an inflamed colon due to:
- Ulcerative colitis, or Crohn disease that is not well controlled
- Infections of the colon such as Clostridioides difficile
- Ischemic bowel disease (ischemic colitis)
Other forms of megacolon include pseudo-obstruction, acute colonic ileus, or congenital colonic dilation. These conditions do not involve an infected or inflamed colon.
The rapid widening of the colon may cause the following symptoms to occur over a short period of time:
- Painful, distended abdomen
- Fever (sepsis)
- Diarrhea (usually bloody)
Treatment of the disorder that led to toxic megacolon includes:
- Steroids and other medicines that suppress the immune system
- Antibiotics
If you have septic shock, you will be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital. Treatment may include:
- Breathing machine (mechanical ventilation)
- Dialysis for kidney failure
- Fluids given directly into a vein
- Medicines to treat low blood pressure, infection, or prior blood clotting
- Oxygen
If rapid colon widening is not treated, an opening or rupture can form in it. If the condition doesn't improve with medical treatment, surgery will be needed to remove part or all of the colon.
You may receive antibiotics to prevent sepsis (a severe infection).
Questcare Matrix PLLC
Rui Benevides is an Internal Medicine provider in Mckinney, Texas. Dr. Benevides and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Toxic Megacolon. His top areas of expertise are Dementia, Cellulitis, Toxic Megacolon, Peptic Ulcer, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Benevides is currently accepting new patients.
Medhealth
Daniel Pereira is an Internal Medicine provider in Richardson, Texas. Dr. Pereira has been practicing medicine for over 15 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Toxic Megacolon. His top areas of expertise are Memory Loss, Ogilvie Syndrome, Peptic Ulcer, Gastrostomy, and Pacemaker Implantation. Dr. Pereira is currently accepting new patients.
Texas Oncology PA
Nathaniel Ng is a Colorectal Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Ng and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Toxic Megacolon. His top areas of expertise are Toxic Megacolon, Tenesmus, Rectal Prolapse, Fasciotomy, and Hernia Surgery. Dr. Ng is currently accepting new patients.
If the condition does not improve, it can be fatal. Colon surgery is usually needed in such cases.
Complications may include:
- Perforation of the colon
- Sepsis
- Shock
- Death
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you develop severe abdominal pain, especially if you also have:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Fever
- Frequent diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate
- Tenderness when the abdomen is pressed
- Abdominal distention
Treating diseases that cause toxic megacolon, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease, can prevent this condition.
Summary: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea, and the most common health care-associated infectious disease in the United States, accounting for 15% of overall infections, nearly 30.000 deaths per year an estimated economic expense of $5 billion/year. In the last decade, most of the burden related to CDI depends on recurrence CDI (rCDI) (3). rCDI is known ...
Published Date: December 31, 2023
Published By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Efron JE. Large bowel: Management of toxic megacolon. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:177-286.
Lichtenstein GR. Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 127.
Thomas N, Wu AW. Large intestine. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 81.