Clinical features and medical treatments of toxic megacolon in seven patients with ulcerative colitis

We have experienced seven cases of toxic megacolon associated with ulcerative colitis, all of the cases being relapsing-remitting type. The laboratory data were characterized by anemia, hypoproteinemia and increased levels of fibrinogen and α2 globulin. Five patients were treated by a one-shot injection of 20-60 mg of prednisolone into the mesentric arteries, whereas two patients were given prednisolone intravenously. After these medical therapy, five of seven patients have been recuperated well into the remitting stage for up to seven years without any surgical intervention. From these data, intraarterial injection of prednisolone appears to be very effective means, among other therapy including surgery, in treating toxic megacolon.