Stercoral colitis in the emergency department: a review of the literature
Dublin Core
Title
Stercoral colitis in the emergency department: a review of the literature
Subject
Stercoral colitis, Constipation, Fecal impaction, CT imaging, Stercoral ulceration, Perforation
Description
Background Stercoral colitis (SC) is a rare but potentially life-threatening inflammatory colitis caused by the accu-
mulation of impacted fecal material. Despite reported associations with bowel perforation and high mortality rates,
stercoral colitis remains a poorly defined and underrecognized diagnosis in the emergency department (ED).
Objective of the review This review aims to summarize and synthesize existing literature on SC to guide its recogni-
tion and management in the ED.
Discussion SC primarily occurs in elderly or bedbound patients with chronic constipation; however, it does occur
in younger patients with comorbidities at increased risk for fecal impaction. Patients may present acutely with abdom-
inal pain and distension, but clinical presentation is often nonspecific and varied, and there are no established
diagnostic criteria for SC to date. CT is therefore crucial for diagnosis, revealing key findings such as fecaloma, colonic
dilatation, and fat stranding. Treatment depends on severity of illness, ranging from manual disimpaction and other
conservative measures for most cases, to surgical intervention for complicated cases, such as stercoral perforation.
Conclusions SC can be a challenging diagnosis in the ED, often requiring multidisciplinary collaboration. Timely
recognition and appropriate treatment are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.
Further research is needed to establish diagnostic criteria and clear management algorithms.
mulation of impacted fecal material. Despite reported associations with bowel perforation and high mortality rates,
stercoral colitis remains a poorly defined and underrecognized diagnosis in the emergency department (ED).
Objective of the review This review aims to summarize and synthesize existing literature on SC to guide its recogni-
tion and management in the ED.
Discussion SC primarily occurs in elderly or bedbound patients with chronic constipation; however, it does occur
in younger patients with comorbidities at increased risk for fecal impaction. Patients may present acutely with abdom-
inal pain and distension, but clinical presentation is often nonspecific and varied, and there are no established
diagnostic criteria for SC to date. CT is therefore crucial for diagnosis, revealing key findings such as fecaloma, colonic
dilatation, and fat stranding. Treatment depends on severity of illness, ranging from manual disimpaction and other
conservative measures for most cases, to surgical intervention for complicated cases, such as stercoral perforation.
Conclusions SC can be a challenging diagnosis in the ED, often requiring multidisciplinary collaboration. Timely
recognition and appropriate treatment are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with this condition.
Further research is needed to establish diagnostic criteria and clear management algorithms.
Creator
Emily Bae1*, Jacqueline Tran2 and Kaushal Shah2
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-023-00578-x
Date
2024
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Emily Bae1*, Jacqueline Tran2 and Kaushal Shah2, “Stercoral colitis in the emergency department: a review of the literature,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12251.