Jennifer Moeller1, Rachele Solomon2, Chauniqua Kiffin1, Jordan J Ditchek3, Dafney L Davare1. 1. Division of Acute Care Surgery and Trauma, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL. 2. Office of Human Research, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL. 3. Department of Radiology, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, FL.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Melanosis coli is a condition in which the colon develops a brown to black discoloration. It is associated with chronic laxative use and frequently diagnosed incidentally during colonoscopy or histopathologic evaluation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with severe abdominal pain and bilious emesis. During a cecal volvulus repair, her melanosis coli was nearly misdiagnosed as bowel ischemia. DISCUSSION: Melanosis coli is a diagnostic finding that can easily be confused with bowel ischemia, which may create a dilemma for the surgeon who is attempting to make a decision regarding the extent of a colonic resection. As such, a pathology consult is warranted in any patient with suspected ischemic colitis and concerns for concomitant melanosis coli.
INTRODUCTION:Melanosis coli is a condition in which the colon develops a brown to black discoloration. It is associated with chronic laxative use and frequently diagnosed incidentally during colonoscopy or histopathologic evaluation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with severe abdominal pain and bilious emesis. During a cecal volvulus repair, her melanosis coli was nearly misdiagnosed as bowel ischemia. DISCUSSION: Melanosis coli is a diagnostic finding that can easily be confused with bowel ischemia, which may create a dilemma for the surgeon who is attempting to make a decision regarding the extent of a colonic resection. As such, a pathology consult is warranted in any patient with suspected ischemic colitis and concerns for concomitant melanosis coli.