McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare and life-threatening disease characterized by the triad of (1) chronic mucous diarrhea, (2) renal function impairment with hydroelectrolyte imbalance, and (3) a giant colorectal tumor. Often, the tumor is a rectal adenoma. With the mortality being certain, if left untreated, it is important to raise awareness on the presentation, diagnosis, and management of this disease entity. Here, we presented 3 cases of McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome that were successfully managed with surgical resection at the Philippine General Hospital from August 2018 to May 2019. Resolution of their symptoms, reversal of their renal impairment, and correction of their electrolyte depletion were noted after removal of the tumor with a sphincter-saving operation.
Idiopathic megacolon (IMC) and idiopathic megarectum (IMR) describe an abnormality of the colon or rectum, characterised by a permanent dilatation of the bowel diameter in the absence of an identifiable cause. We present a 23-year-old woman with chronic constipation and excessive straining during defecation who presented at the emergency department in partial gut obstruction with a palpable fecaloma. Manual faecal disimpaction and a sigmoid loop colostomy was initially done. A full thickness rectal biopsy was positive for ganglion cells. Further workup led to the diagnosis of chronic IMC and IMR. The patient underwent laparoscopic modified Duhamel procedure, with an uneventful postoperative course.
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