Stercoraceous perforation of the colon.

Stercoraceous perforation of the colon is most often unsuspected and is usually diagnosed at operation or autopsy. Abdominal radiographs show large fecal masses in the rectum and sigmoid colon, and occasionally lying free in the peritoneal cavity. Free intraperitoneal air is present. We have reported a single case, with a discussion of the pathophysiology.