Conclusion
Cathartic colon is not rare. Heilbrun reported 9 cases. We have seen 6 cases during the last 2 years. In 3 of these patients, a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was made. Although a definite differential diagnosis from ulcerative colitis may be impossible on roentgen study, the changes described above should alert the radiologist to the possibility of cathartic colon. The history is characteristic: the ingestion for many years of drastic, irritant cathartics that have their action primarily on the colon.
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References
Heilbrun, N. Roentgen evidence suggesting enterocolitis associated with prolonged cathartic abuse.Radiology 41:486, 1943.
Heilbrun, N., andBernstein, C. Roentgen abnormalities of the large and small intestine associated with prolonged cathartic ingestion.Radiology 65:549, 1955.
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Marshak, R.H., Gerson, A. Cathartic colon. Digest Dis Sci 5, 724–727 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02231113
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02231113