Diagnosis
Toxic megacolon is usually diagnosed by x-rays of the abdomen of the affected person. Computer tomography can also be used. In both cases, the examining physician can clearly identify the enlarged section of the colon.
Furthermore, a blood count is routinely made. This usually reveals anemia and elevated inflammation values. To confirm the diagnosis, it is always important to ask the patient whether an inflammatory bowel disease is known or whether other risk factors, such as antibiotic therapy, are present. In addition, the person affected usually has a high pulse and low blood pressure.
Duration and prognosis in a toxic megacolon
Toxic megacolon is a very acute clinical picture, which develops rapidly and deteriorates. This acute situation must be treated directly, so that patients are operated on after 72 hours without improvement. In this case, the acute clinical picture is resolved, but the duration of the subsequent healing varies greatly. The mortality rate is also very high with treatment, at about 50%.
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