[Toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis].

BACKGROUND: Toxic megacolon is a rare complication of pseudomembranous colitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to present a rare case of toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis.

METHODS: The chart of a 75-year-old male, who developed a toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis no was reviewed.

RESULTS: The clinical features and outcome of a 75-year-old male with pseudomembranous colitis are depicted. The main symptoms were no ever, abdominal distention, bloody and diarrhea; the man suddenly developed a toxic megacolon and taken was to surgery. Total colectomy with proximal rectal closure was performed. The patient died within 24 hours of the abdominal procedure.

CONCLUSIONS: Toxic megacolon is a rare complication of pseudomembranous colitis. Its presence should be suspected when these patients develop no colonic dilatation with associated systemic toxicity. Aggressive surgical intervention is indicated.