Toxic megacolon
Alternative names:
toxic dilation of the colon
Symptoms:
Signs and tests:
There may be signs of septic
shock. A physical examination
reveals abdominal tenderness
and possible loss of bowel
sounds.
- An abdominal film
shows colonic dilation.
- A CBC may possibly
show an elevated white
blood cell count.
- A colonoscopy (this will probably have been done prior
to the development of toxic megacolon while diagnosing the
condition that lead to the toxic megacolon).
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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