Publication Date
2014
Journal Title
J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect
Abstract
Stercoral colitis with perforation of the colon is an uncommon, yet life-threatening cause of the acute abdomen. No one defining symptom exists for stercoral colitis; it may present asymptomatically or with vague symptoms. Diagnostic delay may result in perforation of the colon resulting in complications, even death. Moreover, stercoral perforation of the colon can also present with localized left lower quadrant abdominal pain masquerading as diverticulitis. Diverticular diseases and stercoral colitis share similar pathophysiology; furthermore, they may coexist, further complicating the diagnostic dilemma. The ability to decide the cause of perforation in a patient with both stercoral colitis and diverticulosis has not been discussed. We, therefore, report this case of stercoral perforation in a patient with diverticulosis and include a discussion of the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and a review of helpful diagnostic clues for a rapid differentiation to allow for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Volume Number
4
Document Type
Article
EPub Date
2014/03/07
Status
Northwell Researcher
Facility
Northwell Health
Primary Department
General Internal Medicine
Additional Departments
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Radiology; Surgery
PMID
DOI
10.3402/jchimp.v4.22898