Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?CausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsWhen to Seek Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
When to Seek Help
Toxic megacolon (also known as toxic dilation) occurs when a part or all of the colon becomes inflamed and expands larger than normal size.
It is a complication of severecolitis, which can result from conditions likeinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)or certain types of infection. Symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, as well as fever and diarrhea. It is considered life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
gpointstudio / Getty Images
What Is Toxic Megacolon?
Toxic megacolon is a rare but serious condition that occurs when inflammation causes the colon to become severely distended or inflated. When the colon becomes severely inflamed, it can lose its ability to function normally. This can result in a build-up of gas and fecal matter, which causes the colon to expand or stretch too thin.
Megacolon vs. Toxic Megacolon: What’s the Difference?Megacolon is a general term used to describe a dilated colon.Toxic megacolon refers to a life-threatening form of megacolon that’s associated with systemic toxicity; it is commonly associated with IBD and certain infections. Signs of systemic toxicity may include a rapid heart rate, a weak pulse, and/or an altered mental state.
Megacolon vs. Toxic Megacolon: What’s the Difference?
Megacolon is a general term used to describe a dilated colon.Toxic megacolon refers to a life-threatening form of megacolon that’s associated with systemic toxicity; it is commonly associated with IBD and certain infections. Signs of systemic toxicity may include a rapid heart rate, a weak pulse, and/or an altered mental state.
What Causes Toxic Megacolon?
Toxic megacolon can result from a number of conditions, including:
Other risk factors may include:
What’s the Most Common Cause of Toxic Megacolon?Toxic megacolon is most commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease. However, this complication is more likely to occur with ulcerative colitis than with Crohn’s disease.
What’s the Most Common Cause of Toxic Megacolon?
Toxic megacolon is most commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease. However, this complication is more likely to occur with ulcerative colitis than with Crohn’s disease.
Toxic Megacolon Symptoms
Presentations of toxic megacolon include:
People with toxic megacolon often appear quite ill and have a history of several days of diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Can You Poop With a Megacolon?Persons with a toxic megacolon may or may not be able to poop. Symptoms of toxic megacolon can include constipation and diarrhea (usually bloody).
Can You Poop With a Megacolon?
Persons with a toxic megacolon may or may not be able to poop. Symptoms of toxic megacolon can include constipation and diarrhea (usually bloody).
How Is Toxic Megacolon Diagnosed?
A healthcare professional can determine if you have a toxic megacolon based on the following:
Diagnostic criteria for toxic megacolon includes:
Treatment for toxic megacolon may include:
In most cases, once the toxic megacolon has been effectively treated, the prognosis is very good.
Complications related to toxic megacolon may include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Toxic megacolon is serious but it is important to remember that it is not common and it is rarely fatal. To help prevent complications, it is important to bring up any new symptoms, or symptoms that are getting worse, to a gastroenterologist, as soon as possible.
You should seek emergency medical care if you experience severe abdominal pain and any of the following symptoms:
Summary
Toxic megacolon is a rare condition that occurs when an inflamed colon becomes severely distended or inflated. This can result from conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or infection. Common symptoms of toxic megacolon include abdominal pain, abdominal distention, diarrhea, and fever.
Because toxic megacolon can be life-threatening, it’s important to seek medical care right away. Most people who have the condition will be treated effectively and will recover well without more complications.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Toxic megacolon.
Desai J, Elnaggar M, Hanfy AA, Doshi R.Toxic megacolon: background, pathophysiology, management challenges and solutions [corrigendum].CEG. 2021;Volume 14:309-310. doi:10.2147/CEG.S329394
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Toxic megacolon.
Cedars Sinai.Toxic megacolon.
Sheth SG. Lamont JT.Toxic megacolon.UpToDate.
Rubin DT, Ananthakrishnan AN, Siegel CA, Sauer BG, Long MD.ACG clinical guideline: ulcerative colitis in adults.Am J Gastroenterol. 2019;114(3):384-413. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000152
Bemelman WA, Warusavitarne J, Sampietro GM, et al.ECCO-ESCP consensus on surgery for Crohn’s Disease.J Crohns Colitis. 2018;12(1):1-16. doi:10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx061
Dumitru IM, Dumitru E, Rugina S, Tuta LA.Toxic megacolon - a three case presentation.J Crit Care Med (Targu Mures). 2017;3(1):39-44. doi:10.1515/jccm-2017-0008
Sayedy L, Kothari D, Richards RJ.Toxic megacolon associated Clostridium difficile colitis.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2010;2(8):293-297. doi:10.4253/wjge.v2.i8.293
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
