Mega-megacolon: a case report

Abstract

Purpose: Large bowel obstruction and megacolon formation secondary to complicated diverticulitis is rare.

Methods: We present a case of an 84-year-old woman surviving large bowel obstruction and mega-megacolon formation secondary to complicated diverticulitis, with an impressive presentation of abdominal distention.

Results: The patient's symptoms, laboratory test results, and imaging were consistent with large bowel obstruction. The patient underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy. Upon entry in the abdomen, it was unexpected that the extreme colonic wall thickening had prevented perforation, indicating the longtime course of illness. The biopsy of the specimen from the site of the obstruction demonstrated an inflammatory obstructing mass.

Conclusion: This report aims to point out the atypical and in-extremes presentation of an otherwise common disease.

Keywords: Complicated diverticulitis; Large bowel obstruction; Megacolon; Stricture.