Giant villous adenoma presenting as McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome and pseudo‐obstruction

• Published in: Medical journal of Australia Vol. 192; no. 4; pp. 225 - 227
• Main Authors: Miles, Lachlan F, Wakeman, Christopher J, Farmer, K Chip
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sydney Australasian Medical Publishing Company 15-02-2010
• Subjects: Acute Kidney Injury - diagnosis; Acute Kidney Injury - etiology; Adenoma, Villous - complications; Adenoma, Villous - diagnosis; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Colonic Neoplasms - complications; Colonic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction - diagnosis; Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction - etiology; Colonoscopy; Diagnosis, Differential; Digestive system diseases; Follow-Up Studies; General aspects; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Surgical procedures, operative; Syndrome; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance - diagnosis; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance - etiology; Benign neoplasm; Adenoma; Obstruction; Inaugural sign; Syndrome
• ISSN: 0025-729X; 1326-5377
• DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb03484.x

McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare but recognised complication of hypersecretory rectosigmoid villous adenoma. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances require close monitoring because of large-volume losses of water, sodium and potassium. We report an unusual presentation of the syndrome associated with the development of acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon, presumably due to electrolyte dysfunction and acute renal failure.