Abstract
An 80-year-old woman developed myxedema megacolon. Thyroid function but not abdominal symptoms, mproved after thyroid hormone replacement for 3 months. Measurement of colonic motor function using radiopaque markers showed megacolon in the left colon from the splenic flexure to be irreversible. The patient was treated successfully by setting a transverse colostomy. Myxedema megacolon is rare. It should be treated with thyroid hormone replacement and surgical approaches are contraindicated. There have been no discussion about surgical treatment. In the 5 Japanese cases of myxedema megacolon reported to date, 2 had effective surgical treatment. Surgical approaches may be an attractive option for irreversible myxedema megacolon.
