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Rescue therapy with tacrolimus in a patient with toxic megacolon

  • Case Report
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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background. Toxic megacolon is a life-threatening complication most commonly observed in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease that is characterized by total or segmental nonobstructive colonic dilatation of at least 6 cm on plain abdominal films associated with systemic toxicity.

Case report. We report an unusual case of fulminant steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis complicated by toxic megacolon treated successfully with the immunosuppressant tacrolimus.

Conclusion. Tacrolimus administration induced clinical remission and bridged the time interval, until the standard immunosuppressant azathioprine could maintain clinical remission, thereby avoiding eminent emergency colectomy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Campus Virchow, Charité Medical School, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany, , , , ,

    Maria Pascu, Hans-Peter Müller, Bertram Wiedenmann & Axel U. Dignass

  2. Department of Surgery, Campus Virchow, Charité Medical School, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany, , , , ,

    Andrea R. Müller

Authors
  1. Maria Pascu
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  2. Hans-Peter Müller
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  3. Andrea R. Müller
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  4. Bertram Wiedenmann
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  5. Axel U. Dignass
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Pascu, M., Müller, HP., Müller, A.R. et al. Rescue therapy with tacrolimus in a patient with toxic megacolon. Int J Colorectal Dis 18, 271–275 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-002-0458-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-002-0458-8

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