A fecalith is a stone made of feces. It is a hardening of feces into lumps of varying size and may occur anywhere in the intestinal tract but is typically found in the colon. It is also called appendicolith when it occurs in the appendix and is sometimes concurrent with appendicitis.[1] They can also obstruct diverticula. It can form secondary to fecal impaction. A fecaloma is a more severe form of fecal impaction, and a hardened fecaloma may be considered a giant fecalith. The term is from the Greek líthos=stone.[2]
| Fecalith | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Fecolith, coprolith, stercolith |
 | |
| A fecalith marked by the arrow which has resulted in acute appendicitis. | |
| Specialty | General surgery |
Diagnosis
- CT scan
- Projectional radiography
- Ultrasound
Complications
A small fecalith is one cause of both appendicitis and acute diverticulitis.
Appendicolith as seen on CT
Appendicolith as seen on plain X ray
See also
- Bezoar
- Fecal impaction, including fecaloma
- Coprolith is also used to mean geologically fossilized feces.
References
External links
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