[Unusual dilatation of the colon in idiopathic megacolon in adulthood].

This is a report on a 20-year old patient who had been suffering from chronic constipation from her childhood. After radiography of the colon in double contrast in December 1986 the patient was admitted to hospital under suspicion of a perforation of the colon. The radiographic demonstration of the abdomen showed an exceptional dilatation of some segments of the colon but without any signs of perforation by free intraperitoneal gas. Subsequent examination led to the diagnosis of an idiopathic megacolon whereas a congenital as well as symptomatic and toxic megacolon could be excluded.