Cuda et al reported criteria for acquired idiopathic megacolon. The authors are from James Cook University and Cairns Private Hospital in Cairns, Australia.
Criteria for acquired idiopathic megacolon:
(1) persistent dilatation and lengthening of the colon, with the sigmoid diameter >= 10 cm
(2) exclusion of underlying organic disease
Clinical findings may include constipation, distension, abdominal pain and/or gas distress.
Conditions to exclude:
(1) hypoganglionosis on rectal biopsy
(2) defect in the ano-rectal inhibitory reflex
(3) toxic megacolon
Enlarged Colon
Enlarged Rectum
Term
present
absent
megacolon
absent
present
megarectum
present
present
mega-bowel
The condition may be misdiagnosed as constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
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