Maksim Bešić
Zdravstveni dom Jesenice, Jesenice, Slovenija

Darja Urlep Žužej
Klinični oddelek za gastroenterologijo, hepatologijo in nutricionistiko, Pediatrična klinika Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) can be a life-threatening disease if it is not recognised in time. It can lead to complications such as toxic megacolon (TM) and intestinal perforation. TM is characterised by complete or partial non-obstructive over distension of the bowel accompanied by systemic disease symptoms. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Timely and appropriate conservative treatment of TM can prevent surgical treatment. In this article, we present the case of a sixteen-year-old girl who showed signs of TM at the initial presentation of ulcerative colitis (UC).

Key words: ulcerative colitis, acute severe ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, toxic megacolon, children