Toxic megacolon secondary to Clostridium difficile colitis. Case report
Sánchez-Pérez, M.A.; Muñoz-Juárez, M.; Luque-de León, E.; Moreno-Paquentin, E.; Cordera-González de Cosio, F.; Jean-Silver, E.
Revista de Gastroenterologia de Mexico 75(1): 103-106
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0375-0906 PMID: 20423791 Document Number: 644928
The incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile colitis has markedly increased in recent years. The spectrum of Clostridium difficile infection ranges from asymptomatic colonization to fulminant colitis requiring immediate surgery. Medical therapy failure and the presence of toxic megacolon dictate urgent surgical treatment with unfortunate high mortality rates (35% to 57%). We broach herein a case of toxic megacolon secondary to colitis due to Clostridium difficile infection in which early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment led to a successful outcome.