A Rare Case of Acquired Segmental Megacolon with Unknown Cause in a Young Woman

Acquired Megacolon is a rare disease that usually presents in elderly people and there have been only few reported cases in literature. In this article we report a ۲۴-year-old woman who had referred with chronic intermittent epigastric pain from ۴-۵ years ago and also chronic constipation and distension of upper abdominal part. Clinical examinations and imaging studies (chest x-ray, barium enema) showed dilatation of colon with unknown border. She underwent laparatomy surgery with primary diagnosis of partial colon obstruction. Several biopsies were taken from dilated and collapsed parts. Microscopic findings showed destruction of ganglion cells in dilated areas and normal ganglion cells in collapsed parts. At the second operation dilated parts were resected and end to end anastomosis of collapsed parts were done. The patient was discharged in good general condition. About ۷۷ days after operation, the patient was examined again in order to following up. She was in a very good physical condition and had a weight gain about ۲۰ pounds.