Incidence, prevalence, pathogenesis, and manifestations of toxic megacolon

Authors

  • Hisham Abdullah Almottowa Department of General Surgery, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Ahmed Eisa Alobaidi Department of General Surgery, Almadinah General Hospital, Medina, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohammed Hadi Assiri Department of Neurology, Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdullah Abdulmohsen Almulhim Department of Intensive Care Unit, King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
  • Elaf Mohammed Hameed Aljafri College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
  • Talal Mohammed Alharbi College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Faisal Fahad Alrowaidan Medical Administration of the Land Forces, Ministry of Defense, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Haya Abdulaziz Alkhamis College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
  • Mariam Hadi Alshammari College of Nursing, Hail University, Hail, Saudi Arabia
  • Yusra Fadhel Hasan College of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
  • Khulud Yousef Qutub College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
  • Fayez Ali Alzahrani Emergency Medical Services, Abha Primary Healthcare, Abha, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20220066

Keywords:

Toxic megacolon, Colon dilatation, Epidemiology, Prevalence, Incidence, Pathogenesis, Clinical manifestations, Diagnosis

Abstract

Toxic megacolon is an inflammatory condition that affects the colon, leading to nonobstructive dilatation and serious morbidity. It can be found as total and segmental. In the present literature review, we have discussed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and manifestations of toxic megacolon based on relevant data from studies in the literature. Unfortunately, reports regarding the prevalence and incidence of toxic megacolon are scarce. Therefore, it is difficult to draw a suitable conclusion in this context, and further studies are encouraged. Nevertheless, infection with Clostridium difficile might be the commonest etiology, and estimates indicate that this is a significant risk factor for developing the condition. In addition, colonic motility is usually inhibited by the significant presence of certain inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, the clinical manifestations of toxic megacolon are not very specific, and the diagnosis can be made through adequate history taking, together with clinical and radiological manifestations. Finally, prompt management of the condition is essential to intervene against the development of serious complications.

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Published

2022-01-28

How to Cite

Almottowa, H. A., Alobaidi, A. E., Assiri, M. H., Almulhim, A. A., Aljafri, E. M. H., Alharbi, T. M., Alrowaidan, F. F., Alkhamis, H. A., Alshammari, M. H., Hasan, Y. F., Qutub, K. Y., & Alzahrani, F. A. (2022). Incidence, prevalence, pathogenesis, and manifestations of toxic megacolon. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 9(2), 947–951. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20220066

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2022): February 2022

Section

Review Articles