Toxic megacolon overview

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Toxic Megacolon Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Toxic Megacolon from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic study of choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

Abdominal X Ray

CT

Ultrasound

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Toxic megacolon overview On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Toxic megacolon overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Toxic megacolon overview

CDC on Toxic megacolon overview

Toxic megacolon overview in the news

Blogs on Toxic megacolon overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Toxic megacolon

Risk calculators and risk factors for Toxic megacolon overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]

Overview

Toxic megacolon was first discovered by Marshak and Lester in 1950. Jalen criteria was developed by Jalen et al to diagnose toxic megacolon in 1969. Toxic megacolon results from severe inflammation extending into the smooth-muscle layer and paralyses the colonic smooth muscle leading to dilatation. The extent of dilatation associated with the depth of inflammation and ulceration. Nitric oxide, an inhibitor of smooth-muscle tone, has an important role in the pathogenesis of toxic megacolon. Nitric oxide is produced by neutrophils and smooth-muscle cells in the inflamed colon. The most common cause of toxic megacolon include inflammatory bowel disease and Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis. The most common cause of toxic megacolon include inflammatory bowel disease and Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis. The precise incidence of toxic megacolon is unknown in general population. The incidence of toxic megacolon in the associated disorders including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is 1000-2500 in 100,000 cases and 4400-6300 in 100,000 cases, respectively. The mortality rate of toxic megacolon associated with Clostridium difficile is approximately 38%-80%. Common risk factors in the development of toxic negacolon include discontinuation of steroids, use of barium enemas, colonoscopy, chemotherapy, antidiarrheal drugs, anticholinergic drugs, narcotics, Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, organ transplantation, cardiothoracic procedures, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, renal failure. If left untreated, toxic megacolon in patients with ulcerative colitis lead to death in 0.2% patients. Common complications of toxic megacolon include perforation, bleeding, shock, sepsis. Prognosis is generally good. The diagnostic criteria for toxic megacolon is Jalan diagnostic criteria. Common symptoms of toxic megacolon include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea and fever. Less common symptoms include constipation and disorientation.Patients with toxic megacolon usually appear ill. Physical examination of patients with toxic megacolon is usually remarkable for abdominal pain, rebound tenderness and guarding, hypotension and tachycardia. Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of toxic megacolon include anemia and leukocytosis. Some patients with toxic megacolon may have elevated concentration of Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) , which is usually suggestive of inflammation. An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of toxic megacolon. Findings on an x-ray diagnostic of toxic megacolon include dilated transverse colon (>6cm), thumbprinting, free intraperitoneal air and intraluminal soft-tissue masses. Ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of toxic megacolon. Findings on an ultrasound suggestive of toxic megacolon include loss of haustra coli of the colon, hypoechoic and thickened bowel walls with irregular internal margins in the sigmoid and descending colon and significant dilation of the transverse colon. Abdominal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of toxic megacolon. Findings on CT scan diagnostic of toxic megacolon include dilated transverse colon, loss of colonic haustrations, segmental parietal thinning,Intraluminal soft-tissue masses. Medical therapy of toxic megacolon include stablizing the patient, decompression and medications. Medications for toxic megacolon include corticosteroids, immunosuppresants and antibiotics. The mainstay of treatment for toxic megacolon is medical therapy. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either failed medical therapy, progressive toxicity or dilation and signs of perforation. There are no established measures for the prevention of toxic megacolon.

Historical Perspective

Toxic megacolon was first discovered by Marshak and Lester in 1950. Jalen criteria was developed by Jalen et al to diagnose toxic megacolon in 1969.

Classification

There is no established system for the classification of toxic megacolon.

Pathophysiology

Toxic megacolon results from severe inflammation extending into the smooth-muscle layer and paralyses the colonic smooth muscle leading to dilatation. The extent of dilatation associated with the depth of inflammation and ulceration. Nitric oxide, an inhibitor of smooth-muscle tone, has an important role in the pathogenesis of toxic megacolon. Nitric oxide is produced by neutrophils and smooth-muscle cells in the inflamed colon.

Causes

The most common cause of toxic megacolon include inflammatory bowel disease and Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.

Differentiating ((Page name)) from Other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

The precise incidence of toxic megacolon is unknown in general population. The incidence of toxic megacolon in the associated disorders including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is 1000-2500 in 100,000 cases and 4400-6300 in 100,000 cases, respectively. The mortality rate of toxic megacolon associated with Clostridium difficile is approximately 38%-80%.

Risk Factors

Common risk factors in the development of toxic negacolon include discontinuation of steroids, use of barium enemas, colonoscopy, chemotherapy, antidiarrheal drugs, anticholinergic drugs, narcotics, Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, organ transplantation, cardiothoracic procedures, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, renal failure.

Screening

There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for toxic megacolon.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

If left untreated, toxic megacolon in patients with ulcerative colitis lead to death in 0.2% patients. Common complications of toxic megacolon include perforation, bleeding, shock, sepsis. Prognosis is generally good.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

The diagnostic criteria for toxic megacolon is Jalan diagnostic criteria. It is based on clinical findings, physical exam signs and lab findings.

History and Symptoms

Common symptoms of toxic megacolon include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea and fever. Less common symptoms include constipation and disorientation.

Physical Examination

Patients with toxic megacolon usually appear ill. Physical examination of patients with toxic megacolon is usually remarkable for abdominal pain, rebound tenderness and guarding, hypotension and tachycardia.

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of toxic megacolon include anemia and leukocytosis. Some patients with toxic megacolon may have elevated concentration of Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) , which is usually suggestive of inflammation.

Electrocardiogram

An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of toxic megacolon. Findings on an ECG suggestive of toxic megacolon include sinus tachycardia.

X-ray

An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of toxic megacolon. Findings on an x-ray diagnostic of toxic megacolon include dilated transverse colon (>6cm), thumbprinting, free intraperitoneal air and intraluminal soft-tissue masses.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of toxic megacolon. Findings on an ultrasound suggestive of toxic megacolon include loss of haustra coli of the colon, hypoechoic and thickened bowel walls with irregular internal margins in the sigmoid and descending colon and significant dilation of the transverse colon.

CT scan

Abdominal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of toxic megacolon. Findings on CT scan diagnostic of toxic megacolon include dilated transverse colon, loss of colonic haustrations, segmental parietal thinning,Intraluminal soft-tissue masses.

MRI

There are no MRI findings associated with toxic megacolon.

Other Imaging Findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with toxic megacolon.

Other Diagnostic Studies

There are no other diagnostic studies associated with toxic megacolon.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Medical therapy of toxic megacolon include stablizing the patient, decompression and medications. Medications for toxic megacolon include corticosteroids, immunosuppresants and antibiotics.

Surgery

The mainstay of treatment for toxic megacolon is medical therapy. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either failed medical therapy, progressive toxicity or dilation and signs of perforation.

Primary Prevention

There are no established measures for the primary prevention of toxic megacolon.

Secondary Prevention

There are no established measures for the secondary prevention of toxic megacolon.

References


Template:WikiDoc Sources