Toxic colitis and toxic megacolon

Jalan criteria[27]Jalan KN, Sircus W, Card WI, et al. An experience of ulcerative colitis. I. Toxic dilation in 55 cases. Gastroenterology. 1969 Jul;57(1):68-82. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5305933?tool=bestpractice.com

Criteria for the diagnosis of toxic colitis/toxic megacolon include radiographical evidence of acute colitis and three of the following four features:

• Fever >38.6°C (101.5°F)

• Heart rate >120 bpm

• WBC >10.5 × 10⁹/L

• Anaemia.

At least one of the following is also required:

• Volume depletion

• Mental status changes

• Electrolyte abnormalities

• Hypotension.

In most cases, patients will demonstrate several of these physiological abnormalities.