Liu Zhe-Jia, Lin Jung-Chun, Cheng Yi-Chiao
School of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Int J Emerg Med. 2025 Apr 23;18(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s12245-025-00884-6.
Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a systemic connective tissue disease characterized by changes in the collagen structure that lead to fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is most commonly affected, and it significantly impacts the daily lives of patients. A fatal complication of GI involvement is chronic megacolon, which has been detected in only a few patients in recent years.
A 51-year-old female with a 10-year history of poorly controlled SS had suffered constipation, abdominal bloating, vomiting, and fever for two weeks and eventually developed chronic megacolon. Conservative treatments and medications failed to relieve the symptoms and resolve the condition. The patient ultimately required surgical intervention. This case highlights the importance of timely evaluation and management of SS-related GI complications.
Procedures such as colonoscopy are instrumental in monitoring disease progression and providing therapeutic relief. Frequent physical examinations may help predict the failure of conservative approaches and guide clinicians toward surgical interventions to prevent life-threatening complications.
系统性硬化症（SS）是一种系统性结缔组织疾病，其特征是胶原蛋白结构发生变化，导致皮肤和内脏器官纤维化。胃肠道（GI）最常受累，且对患者的日常生活有显著影响。胃肠道受累的一种致命并发症是慢性巨结肠，近年来仅在少数患者中被发现。
一名51岁女性，有10年控制不佳的系统性硬化症病史，出现便秘、腹胀、呕吐和发热两周，最终发展为慢性巨结肠。保守治疗和药物未能缓解症状并解决病情。患者最终需要手术干预。该病例强调了及时评估和管理系统性硬化症相关胃肠道并发症的重要性。
结肠镜检查等程序有助于监测疾病进展并提供治疗缓解。频繁的体格检查可能有助于预测保守治疗方法的失败，并指导临床医生进行手术干预，以预防危及生命的并发症。
