What is Acute Megacolon

Megacolon, like megarectum, is a descriptive term. Megacolon denotes dilatation of the colon that is not caused by a mechanical obstruction. While the definition of megacolon has varied in the literature, most use a cecum measurement of greater than 12 cm in diameter to define megacolon. Adding to this definition, because the diameter of the large intestine is different in different areas, measurements of greater than 6.5 cm for the rectosigmoid region and greater than 8 cm for the ascending colon may also be significant.