Toxic megacolon
Updates to Article Attributes
Body
was changed:
Toxic megacolon (TM) is complication that can be seen in both types of inflammatory bowel disease, in infectious colitis, as well as in some other types of colitis.
Pathology
The mechanisms involved in development of toxic megacolon are not entirely clear, although chemical mediators such as nitric oxide and interleukins are thought to play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis 5.
Radiographic features
The colon (typically transverse colon) becomes dilated to at least 6cm6 cm (usually greater). There is additional loss of haustral markings, with pseudopolyps often extending into the lumen. Thumbprinting from mucosal oedema may be present.
Key point: Barium
Practical points
-
barium studies should be avoided, due to the risk of perforation
.
-<p><strong>Toxic megacolon (TM)</strong> is complication that can be seen in both types of inflammatory bowel disease, in infectious colitis, as well as in some other types of colitis.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The mechanisms involved in development of toxic megacolon are not entirely clear, although chemical mediators such as nitric oxide and interleukins are thought to play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features </h4><p>The colon (typically transverse colon) becomes dilated to at least 6cm (usually greater). There is additional loss of haustral markings, with pseudopolyps often extending into the lumen. Thumbprinting from mucosal oedema may be present. </p><p><strong>Key point: </strong>Barium studies should be avoided, due to the risk of perforation.</p>- +<p><strong>Toxic megacolon (TM)</strong> is complication that can be seen in both types of <a title="Inflammatory bowel disease" href="/articles/inflammatory-bowel-disease">inflammatory bowel disease</a>, in <a title="Infectious colitis" href="/articles/infectious-colitis">infectious colitis</a>, as well as in some other types of <a title="colitis" href="/articles/colitis">colitis</a>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The mechanisms involved in development of toxic megacolon are not entirely clear, although chemical mediators such as nitric oxide and interleukins are thought to play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features </h4><p>The <a title="Colon" href="/articles/large-intestine-1">colon</a> (typically <a title="Transverse colon" href="/articles/transverse-colon">transverse colon</a>) becomes dilated to at least 6 cm (usually greater). There is additional loss of <a title="Haustral markings" href="/articles/haustral-markings">haustral markings</a>, with <a title="Inflammatory pseudopolyps" href="/articles/inflammatory-pseudopolyp">pseudopolyps</a> often extending into the lumen. <a title="Thumbprinting" href="/articles/thumbprinting">Thumbprinting</a> from mucosal oedema may be present. </p><h4>Practical points</h4><ul><li>barium studies should be avoided, due to the risk of perforation</li></ul>
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.