Ultrasonographic Diagnosis and Conservative Management of Fecal Impaction
Abstract
Fecal impaction (FI) is a clinically significant condition, especially in the elderly, and may lead to fatal complications, such as stercoral ulceration and intestinal perforation. A 70-year-old man presented with abdominal bloating and was diagnosed with FI using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). He was treated with an ultrasound-guided glycerin enema, and the therapeutic effect was monitored in real-time. The patient's condition improved, and he was discharged without requiring surgical intervention. This case demonstrates that POCUS is a valuable tool not only for diagnosing FI but also for dynamically assessing the effectiveness of conservative treatment and guiding management decisions.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Foreign Body Medical Cases
Intestinal and Peritoneal Adhesions
Abdominal Trauma and Injuries
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cureus
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e100552–e100552
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN