Severe Chronic Constipation and Fecaloma in a Patient With Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: A Case Report.
- 1Medicine, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Kendal, GBR.
- 2Orthopaedics, University of Chester, Chester, GBR.
- 3Trauma and Orthopaedics, Furness General Hospital, Barrow-in-Furness, GBR.
Abstract
Symptoms of functional constipation are associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis (BGA). BGA stands as a framework that accounts for the bidirectional interaction between the central nervous system (CNS), autonomic nervous system (ANS), and the enteric nervous system (ENS). Considering these interactions, the brain (CNS) becomes central to bowel movement/defecation. Consequently, it becomes evident why conditions of the CNS or impacts on the CNS could lead to functional constipation. This case report highlights the intricate relationship between the CNS and GI motility via the BGA. The clinical presentation of partial agenesis of the corpus callosum and refractory fecaloma demonstrates an association between structural neurological deficits and impaired visceral sensory processing, though further studies/investigation are needed to establish a causal link (direct) to the patient's disrupted ability or physiological urge to defecate. Acute management, such as manual evacuation, can be necessary in severe chronic constipation with fecaloma to prevent life-threatening stercoral perforation. Additionally, long-term management of neurogenic constipation should evolve beyond a standard approach. Individualized management strategies could be considered, which may involve transitioning from an urge-based to a time-based defecation routine, alongside adjuncts like prokinetic agents (e.g., prucalopride) and regular abdominal massage.
Related
- Cytotoxic Lesion of the Corpus Callosum in a Patient with Acute-on-chronic Lithium Toxicity
- Incremental Diagnostic Yield of Fetal MRI After Targeted Neurosonography in Fetuses with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: A Retrospective Cohort Study
- Patient-facing large language model assistants for chronic constipation education: A comparative study of expert evaluation, readability, and patient acceptability
- Acute head shaking precedes chronic corpus callosum deficits during repeated cocaine exposure in common marmosets
- Anterior sacral meningocele in an adult with chronic constipation: Surgical management through a posterior approach.
BibTeX
@article{edward2026severe,
title = {{Severe Chronic Constipation and Fecaloma in a Patient With Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: A Case Report.}},
author = {Ikenna Joel Edward and Pamela Momah and Nima Maharjan},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.118495},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42952535},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Severe Chronic Constipation and Fecaloma in a Patient With Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: A Case Report.
AU - Ikenna Joel Edward
AU - Pamela Momah
AU - Nima Maharjan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/24
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.118495
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42952535
AB - Symptoms of functional constipation are associated with dysregulation of the brain-gut axis (BGA). BGA stands as a framework that accounts for the bidirectional interaction between the central nervous system (CNS), autonomic nervous system (ANS), and the enteric nervous system (ENS). Considering these interactions, the brain (CNS) becomes central to bowel movement/defecation. Consequently, it becomes evident why conditions of the CNS or impacts on the CNS could lead to functional constipation. This case report highlights the intricate relationship between the CNS and GI motility via the BGA. The clinical presentation of partial agenesis of the corpus callosum and refractory fecaloma demonstrates an association between structural neurological deficits and impaired visceral sensory processing, though further studies/investigation are needed to establish a causal link (direct) to the patient's disrupted ability or physiological urge to defecate. Acute management, such as manual evacuation, can be necessary in severe chronic constipation with fecaloma to prevent life-threatening stercoral perforation. Additionally, long-term management of neurogenic constipation should evolve beyond a standard approach. Individualized management strategies could be considered, which may involve transitioning from an urge-based to a time-based defecation routine, alongside adjuncts like prokinetic agents (e.g., prucalopride) and regular abdominal massage.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -