A Case of Melanosis Coli: A Case with history of rectal instillation of petroleum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

Melanosis coli is the brownish black discoloration of the colon due to accumulation of pigment containing macrophages in lamina propria. The nature and source of this pigment is controversial but many studies have suggested that the pigment is related to lipofuscin. Melanosis coli has been reported to be closely associated with prolonged administration of anthraquinone purgatives. But this condition is sometimes associated with colonic polyp colon cancer, rediation therapy or non-anthraquinone purgatives administration. Moreover the fact that melanosis coli could be found in subjects who never used purgatives suggested that, even though chronic consumption of anthraquinone purgatives seems to play a major role, other factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of melanosis coli. We presented a case of melanosis Coli in a 47-year-old female with history of rectal instillation of petroleum for control of hemorrhoids.