TOXIC MEGACOLON. CASE REPORT

Mechato R.S.; Arias S.T.C.; Jara S.Ñ.; Barreto F.M.M. · Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana (2024) · DOI: 10.25176/rfmh.v24i1.6468

Resumen

Introducción: Toxic megacolon is a fatal disease, most commonly occurring as a complication of infiammatory bowel disease, infections, and intestinal ischemia. It is characterized by the presence of bloody diarrhea, abdominal distension, signs of systemic toxicity, and segmental colonic dilation is observed in imaging studies. For the diagnosis, according to the Jalan criteria, colonic dilation of more than 6 cm is taken into account, three of the following: fever, tachycardia, leukocytosis or anemia, and any of the following criteria: hypotension, hypovolemia, electrolyte disorder and altered mental status. Clinical case: This article presents the case of a female patient who was admitted with abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea with an imaging study showing dilation of the entire colonic framework. Conclusion: The corresponding studies were carried out which indicated that she had a toxic megacolon due to colitis. ulcerative, receives medical treatment with favorable evolution, is discharged and readmitted for septic shock, studies are performed and Clostridium difficile infection is identified, antibiotic treatment is started but the evolution is unfavorable, which caused the death of the patient. The present case represents the high mortality of this disease.

Instituciones: Universidad Continental