Obstruction of large intestine

Etiology

• Mechanical colonic obstruction, eg, malignancy, diverticulitis, volvulus, fecal impaction
• Toxic megacolon due to inflammatory bowel disease or C. difficile colitis
• Megacolon due to Chagas’ disease, Hirschsprung’s disease (aganglionic), multiple sclerosis, sacral nerve damage, myxedema (hypothyroidism)
• Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
• Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie’s syndrome), associated with:
  • Trauma, burns, or postoperative
  • Respiratory failure
  • Malignancy
  • Myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure (CHF)
  • Pancreatitis
  • Stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Intestinal ischemia
  • Drugs, eg, opioids, anticholinergics