A Case of Myxedema Megacolon Successfully Treated by Transverse Colostomy

Toshiyuki Yamazaki, Yasuo Sakai, Hidehiro Kawaguchi*, Katsuyoshi Hatakeyama

Department of Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine
*Department of Surgery, Maki Municipal Hospital

An 80-year-old woman developed myxedema megacolon. Thyroid function but not abdominal symptoms, improved after thyroid hormone replacement for 3 months. Measurement of colonic motor function using radiopaque markers showed megacolon in the left colon from the splenic flexure to be irreversible. The patient was treated successfully by setting a transverse colostomy. Myxedema megacolon is rare. It should be treated with thyroid hormone replacement and surgical approaches are contraindicated. There have been no discussion about surgical treatment. In the 5 Japanese cases of myxedema megacolon reported to date, 2 had effective surgical treatment. Surgical approaches may be an attractive option for irreversible myxedema megacolon.

Key words
myxedema megacolon, chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction, hypothyroidism

Reprint requests
Toshiyuki Yamazaki Department of Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine
1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Niigata City, 951 JAPAN

Accepted
June 12, 1996

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