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What Causes A Collapsed Sigmoid Colon?

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Posted on Fri, 6 May 2016
Question: Just got back results from abdominal CT; was told I have a collapsed sigmoid colon. What are common causes of this & treatments?
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Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It is usually normal observation, please upload CT report for confirmation

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. The sigmoid colon is the large bowel which is above the rectum. The function of sigmoid colon is to store the feces.

2. When doing CT scan patients are usually given rectal contrast enema to distend the sigmoid colon.

3. Some patients cannot hold the enema and therefore have a collapsed sigmoid colon.

4. Few patients can have any empty colon due to recent passage of stools or diarthea.

5. Patients with a proximal colon obstruction can also have a collapsed sigmoid colon. This is usually mentioned in the report.

It is important to go through your entire CT scan report to know if your collapsed sigmoid colon is normal or from any proximal colon obstruction. If your colonoscopy is normal then the collapsed sigmoid colon is probably a normal observation.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts

Regards,

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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What Causes A Collapsed Sigmoid Colon?

Brief Answer: It is usually normal observation, please upload CT report for confirmation Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. Please find my observations below. 1. The sigmoid colon is the large bowel which is above the rectum. The function of sigmoid colon is to store the feces. 2. When doing CT scan patients are usually given rectal contrast enema to distend the sigmoid colon. 3. Some patients cannot hold the enema and therefore have a collapsed sigmoid colon. 4. Few patients can have any empty colon due to recent passage of stools or diarthea. 5. Patients with a proximal colon obstruction can also have a collapsed sigmoid colon. This is usually mentioned in the report. It is important to go through your entire CT scan report to know if your collapsed sigmoid colon is normal or from any proximal colon obstruction. If your colonoscopy is normal then the collapsed sigmoid colon is probably a normal observation. Hope your query is answered. Please do write back if you have any doubts Regards,