Toxic megacolon due to Salmonella: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background and aims: Salmonella colitis is an unusual cause of toxic megacolon. We provide an overview of this condition and report a single case.

Patients and methods: A 62-year-old man underwent subtotal colectomy with ileostomy formation for toxic megacolon due to Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 colitis, followed by reversal with an ileorectal anastomosis.

Results: Twenty-seven cases have been described in the literature. These were first treated conservatively, with antibiotics and systemic/local steroids, and some proceded to surgery.

Conclusion: Salmonella is a rare cause of toxic megacolon, but it can behave opportunistically in patients with ulcerative colitis. S. enteritidis phage type 4 is typically transmitted via raw or uncooked eggs in most cases of salmonellosis attributed to this organism. The disease is rapidly progressive, and death may ensue due to septicaemia and/or perforation. Toxic megacolon is treated aggressively, initially medically, with high-dose steroids and attention to fluid balance, ulcerative colitis being the usual working diagnosis. Once Salmonella is cultured, appropriate antibiotics are commenced. Non-surgical decompression may be appropriate in some cases, but early surgical intervention is required for failed response to these measures or rapid deterioration in the patient's condition. Following initial surgery - often subtotal colectomy and ileostomy formation - continuity may be restored. For most patients with ulcerative colitis ileal pouch anal anastomosis is the operation of choice, but ileorectal anastomosis may be safely performed for Salmonella-induced toxic megacolon. Prevention is better than cure, and therefore health education needs to reinforce avoidance of use of raw or uncooked eggs.