Fecalith
| Fecalith | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | fecalith, coprolith, stercolith |
 | |
| A fecalith marked by the arrow which has resulted in acute appendicitis. | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | gastroenterology |
| ICD-10 | K38.1 |
| ICD-9-CM | 560.39 |
A fecalith is a stone made of feces (from Greek líthos=stone).[1] It is a hardening of feces into lumps of varying size and may occur anywhere in the intestinal tract but is typically found in the colon. It is also called appendicolith when it occurs in the appendix and is sometimes concomitant with appendicitis.[2] They can also obstruct diverticula. It can possibly form secondary to fecal impaction. A fecaloma is a more severe form of fecal impaction, and a hardened fecaloma may be considered to be a giant fecalith.
Features
Constipation.
Diagnosis
- CT Scan
- Projectional radiography
- Ultrasound
Complications
A small fecalith is one cause of both appendicitis and acute diverticulitis.
Appendicolith as seen on CT
Appendicolith as seen on plain X ray
See also
- Fecal impaction, including fecaloma
- Coprolith is also used to mean geologically fossilized feces.
References
- ↑ Alaedeen, Diya I.; Cook, Marc; Chwals, Walter J. (2008). "Appendiceal fecalith is associated with early perforation in pediatric patients". Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 43 (5): 889–892. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2007.12.034. ISSN 0022-3468.
- ↑ Aljefri, A; Al-Nakshabandi, N (2008). "The stranded stone: relationship between acute appendicitis and appendicolith". Saudi journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association. 15 (4): 258–60. doi:10.4103/1319-3767.56106. PMC 2981843. PMID 19794272.
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