Overview
A blockage in the colon that prevents stool and gas from moving forward.
Causes
• Colon cancer
• Volvulus
• Diverticular strictures
• Inflammatory disease
• Fecal impaction
Symptoms
• Severe distension
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Nausea/vomiting
• Absent bowel sounds
Diagnosis
• Imaging (CT, X-ray)
Treatment
• Emergency decompression
• Surgery
• Stent placement (in cancer cases)