Toxic dilatation of the colon. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Magee, Cormac; Blackwell, Victoria; Travis, Simon
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 43:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Médecine factuelle -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mpmed.2014.12.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-3039

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Abstract</title> <sec> <p id="abspara0010">Toxic megacolon (TM) is defined as total or non-segmental obstructive dilatation of the colon to an external diameter of 6.0 cm or greater, associated with systemic toxicity. It is a potentially fatal condition that represents the end of a spectrum of severe colitis. Typically a complication of ulcerative colitis, it is also seen as a consequence of infective colitis. Of particular concern, due to its high mortality, is TM associated with pseudomembranous colitis due to <italic>Clostridium difficile</italic> infection.</p> </sec> </abstract>