Stercoral colitis: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
[[File:Diameters of the large intestine.png|thumb|Normal inner diameters of colon sections.]]
*Inflammatory [[colitis]] related to increased intraluminal pressure from [[fecal impaction|impacted fecal material]] in the colon
*Inflammatory [[colitis]] related to increased intraluminal pressure from [[fecal impaction|impacted fecal material]] in the colon
**Pressure may cause ulceration and ultimately perforation
**Pressure from fecaloma or colonic distention may cause ulceration/necrosis and ultimately perforation
*Rare condition
*Rare condition, but with high mortality rate (32-59%) when complicated by perforation<ref>Morano C, Sharman T. Stercoral Colitis. [Updated 2022 Jul 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560608/</ref>
*Primarily in elderly, nursing home or young patients with neurological impairment, chronic opioid use
*Primarily in elderly, nursing home, or young patients with neurological impairment, chronic opioid use


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*History of chronic [[constipation]]
*History of chronic [[constipation]] and/or [[fecal impaction]]
*May be asymptomatic or have only mild [[abdominal pain]] at initial stages
*May be asymptomatic or have only mild [[abdominal pain]] at initial stages
**Maintain a high index of suspicion; a recent review shows lack of abdominal pain in as much as 62% of cases<ref>Keim AA, Campbell RL, Mullan AF, McElhinny ML, Monas J, Finch AS, Mathis KL, Lindor RA. Stercoral Colitis in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Review of Presentation, Management, and Outcomes. Ann Emerg Med. 2023 Jul;82(1):37-46. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.02.003. Epub 2023 Mar 23. PMID: 36966044.</ref>
*Abdominal pain/tenderness, distension, [[vomiting]] are most common symptoms <ref> Tsai TC, Chao CM. Stercoral colitis. Resuscitation & Intensive Care Med 2017;4:231-232 http://www.tsccm.org.tw/Magazine/Folder/a02_4/N20183712037_14-%BCv%B9%B3-10502-%BD%B2%A9v%A7%D3-231-232.pdf </ref>
*Abdominal pain/tenderness, distension, [[vomiting]] are most common symptoms <ref> Tsai TC, Chao CM. Stercoral colitis. Resuscitation & Intensive Care Med 2017;4:231-232 http://www.tsccm.org.tw/Magazine/Folder/a02_4/N20183712037_14-%BCv%B9%B3-10502-%BD%B2%A9v%A7%D3-231-232.pdf </ref>
*Rectal bleeding
*Symptoms and signs of peritonitis or shock


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
*CT findings with focal thickening of colonic wall, stranding of pericolonic fat in segment showing fecal impaction, and presence of extraluminal bubbles of gas or abscess <ref> Heffernan C. et al.  Stercoral Colitis Leading to Fatal Peritonitis: CT findings.  American Journal of Roentgenology, 2005. 184(4); 1189-1193. </ref>
[[File:179e455f29abdcd110a7e67428587e big gallery.jpg|thumb|Abdominal CT showing stercoral colitis with preformation (free air shown by arrows).]]
===Work up===
*Digital rectal exam
*Abdominal panel
**CBC
**Chemistry ([[hypokalemia]] or [[hypercalcemia]])
**LFTs + lipase
**Consider coagulation studies (PT, PTT, INR), as a marker of liver function
*[[Lactate]]
*Consider preoperative labs including type & screen
*Consider [[TSH]] if concern for [[hypothyroid]] related [[constipation]]
*CT abdomen/pelvis with IV contrast
**CT findings with focal thickening of colonic wall, stranding of pericolonic fat in segment showing fecal impaction, and presence of extraluminal bubbles of gas or abscess <ref> Heffernan C. et al.  Stercoral Colitis Leading to Fatal Peritonitis: CT findings.  American Journal of Roentgenology, 2005. 184(4); 1189-1193. </ref>
**Fecolomas may be visualized as radiopaque masses
 
===Diagnosis===
*Diagnosis is typically made on CT


==Management==
==Management==
*Surgical consult  
*Fluid resuscitation
*May ultimately be treated nonsurgically (e.g. manual disimpaction, enemas) if no evidence of bowel perforation or ischemia
*Broad spectrum [[antibiotics]] covering intra-abdominal flora (e.g., [[ceftriaxone]] + [[metronidazole]])
*Surgical consult, NPO
**May ultimately be treated nonsurgically (e.g. manual disimpaction, enemas), if no evidence of bowel perforation or ischemia


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
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==External Links==
==External Links==


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:GI]] [[Category:Surgery]]
[[Category:GI]] [[Category:Surgery]]

Latest revision as of 21:35, 14 February 2024

Background

Normal inner diameters of colon sections.
  • Inflammatory colitis related to increased intraluminal pressure from impacted fecal material in the colon
    • Pressure from fecaloma or colonic distention may cause ulceration/necrosis and ultimately perforation
  • Rare condition, but with high mortality rate (32-59%) when complicated by perforation[1]
  • Primarily in elderly, nursing home, or young patients with neurological impairment, chronic opioid use

Clinical Features

  • History of chronic constipation and/or fecal impaction
  • May be asymptomatic or have only mild abdominal pain at initial stages
    • Maintain a high index of suspicion; a recent review shows lack of abdominal pain in as much as 62% of cases[2]
  • Abdominal pain/tenderness, distension, vomiting are most common symptoms [3]
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Symptoms and signs of peritonitis or shock

Differential Diagnosis

Constipation

Evaluation

Abdominal CT showing stercoral colitis with preformation (free air shown by arrows).

Work up

  • Digital rectal exam
  • Abdominal panel
    • CBC
    • Chemistry (hypokalemia or hypercalcemia)
    • LFTs + lipase
    • Consider coagulation studies (PT, PTT, INR), as a marker of liver function
  • Lactate
  • Consider preoperative labs including type & screen
  • Consider TSH if concern for hypothyroid related constipation
  • CT abdomen/pelvis with IV contrast
    • CT findings with focal thickening of colonic wall, stranding of pericolonic fat in segment showing fecal impaction, and presence of extraluminal bubbles of gas or abscess [4]
    • Fecolomas may be visualized as radiopaque masses

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis is typically made on CT

Management

  • Fluid resuscitation
  • Broad spectrum antibiotics covering intra-abdominal flora (e.g., ceftriaxone + metronidazole)
  • Surgical consult, NPO
    • May ultimately be treated nonsurgically (e.g. manual disimpaction, enemas), if no evidence of bowel perforation or ischemia

Disposition

  • Admit

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Morano C, Sharman T. Stercoral Colitis. [Updated 2022 Jul 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560608/
  2. Keim AA, Campbell RL, Mullan AF, McElhinny ML, Monas J, Finch AS, Mathis KL, Lindor RA. Stercoral Colitis in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Review of Presentation, Management, and Outcomes. Ann Emerg Med. 2023 Jul;82(1):37-46. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.02.003. Epub 2023 Mar 23. PMID: 36966044.
  3. Tsai TC, Chao CM. Stercoral colitis. Resuscitation & Intensive Care Med 2017;4:231-232 http://www.tsccm.org.tw/Magazine/Folder/a02_4/N20183712037_14-%BCv%B9%B3-10502-%BD%B2%A9v%A7%D3-231-232.pdf
  4. Heffernan C. et al. Stercoral Colitis Leading to Fatal Peritonitis: CT findings. American Journal of Roentgenology, 2005. 184(4); 1189-1193.