Megacolon

Classification according to ICD-10
Q43.1	Hirschsprung Disease - Aganglionosis - Megacolon congenitum (aganglionic)
B57.3	Chagas disease (chronic) involving the digestive system
K59.3	Megacolon, not elsewhere classified
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

A megacolon or megacolon (from ancient Greek μέγας mégas "large", and Latin colon " large intestine , colon ") is a dilation of the large intestine associated with chronic constipation .

A distinction is made between the primary form, congenital Hirschsprung's disease ( Megacolon congenitum , Hirschsprung's disease ), from the secondary forms, which are caused, for example, by Chagas disease or ulcerative colitis . The toxic megacolon is a rare but life-threatening special form .

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !