Fecaloma

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 25 Aug 2022

A fecaloma is a mass of feces most frequently noted in the rectum and sigmoid colon, and is considered a severe/extreme form of fecal impaction.

Symptoms are non-specific and include constipation, abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, overflow diarrhea, fecal incontinence and urinary symptoms from pressure. 

Usually, the fecal matter accumulates in the intestine, then stagnates and increases in volume until the intestine becomes deformed and acquires characteristics similar to those of a tumor.

There are several causes of chronic constipation and fecaloma, for example:

A fecaloma should be considered when there is evidence of focal fecal material of equal or greater diameter than the colon. 

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