Fecaloma: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
A fecaloma is a hardening of feces into stones of varying size inside the [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]] | A fecaloma is a hardening of feces into stones of varying size inside the [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]]. | ||
==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
A fecaloma occurs | A fecaloma occurs in the setting of chronic obstruction of fecal transit. | ||
== | ==Causes== | ||
*[[Megacolon]] and chronic [[constipation]] | * [[Chagas disease]] | ||
* [[Hirschsprung's disease]] | |||
* [[Megacolon]] and chronic [[constipation]] | |||
* Destruction of the [[autonomic nervous system]] inside the colon's [[mucosa]] ([[Auerbach's plexus]]) | |||
==Natural History, Complications and Prognosis== | |||
Fecal impaction may have severe and even lethal effects, such as the rupture of the colon's walls by acute angles of the fecalomas ([[stercoral perforation]]), followed by [[septicemia]]. A fecolith is also usually the cause of acute [[appendicitis]].<ref>Creason N, Sparks D. Fecal impaction: a review. ''Nurs Diagn.'' 2000 Jan-Mar;11(1):15-23. Review. PMID 10847055</ref> | |||
== | ==Treatment== | ||
Extremely large (giant) fecalomas, which must be surgically removed ([[disimpaction]]). Normally, however, fecalomas can be manually disimpacted or by passing colonic tubes ([[catheter]]s which carry a flow of disimpaction fluid (solvent). | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|2}} | |||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:36, 10 August 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: a tumor made of feces; fecalith; coprolith; stones made of feces
Overview
A fecaloma is a hardening of feces into stones of varying size inside the colon.
Pathophysiology
A fecaloma occurs in the setting of chronic obstruction of fecal transit.
Causes
- Chagas disease
- Hirschsprung's disease
- Megacolon and chronic constipation
- Destruction of the autonomic nervous system inside the colon's mucosa (Auerbach's plexus)
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Fecal impaction may have severe and even lethal effects, such as the rupture of the colon's walls by acute angles of the fecalomas (stercoral perforation), followed by septicemia. A fecolith is also usually the cause of acute appendicitis.[1]
Treatment
Extremely large (giant) fecalomas, which must be surgically removed (disimpaction). Normally, however, fecalomas can be manually disimpacted or by passing colonic tubes (catheters which carry a flow of disimpaction fluid (solvent).
See also
References
- ↑ Creason N, Sparks D. Fecal impaction: a review. Nurs Diagn. 2000 Jan-Mar;11(1):15-23. Review. PMID 10847055