Chepyala PR, Daniel AR, Gould MB, Gill M, Ganti L. Stercoral Colitis Secondary to Opiate-Induced Constipation.
Cureus 2023;
15:e50511. [PMID:
38226094 PMCID:
PMC10788235 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.50511]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The authors present the case of a 62-year-old woman who had stercoral colitis secondary to opiate use for rheumatoid arthritis leading to chronic constipation. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated stool along a significant length of the colon. Stercoral colitis is a seldom suspected cause of severe abdominal pain. Although constipation may seem benign, when it gets to the level of a stercoral colitis, mortality due to colonic perforation is a very real concern. The authors review the presentation, risk factors, and management of stercoral colitis.
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