Dolichocolon

This article is about the medical condition. For the fly genus, see Dolichocolon (fly).

Dolichocolon
Other names	Redundant colon, tortuous colon, floppy colon
Abdominal X-ray image with bowel contrast agent showing dolichocolon
Specialty	Gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, general surgery
Complications	Volvulus, Chilaiditi syndrome
Usual onset	From birth
Duration	Indefinite
Causes	Unknown
Diagnostic method	Abdominal X-ray, colonoscopy
Differential diagnosis	Megacolon
Prognosis	Most commonly asymptomatic

Dolichocolon, also known as redundant colon or tortuous colon, is the congenital presence of an abnormally-long large intestine.‍ It should not be confused with an abnormally wide large intestine, which is called megacolon. The name originates from Ancient Greek: δολιχός, romanized: dolĭkhós, lit. 'long, protracted', and "colon".

Dolichocolon may predispose to abnormal rotation of the colon (volvulus) and its interposition between the diaphragm and the liver (Chilaiditi syndrome). The exact cause remains unknown.‍ Dolichocolon is often an incidental finding on abdominal X-rays or in colonoscopy. It is not by itself a disease and as such requires no treatment if asymptomatic. In colonoscopies, dolichocolon can make progression of the endoscope very difficult, requiring external manipulation to reach the terminal ileum, and depending on the degree of dolichocolon, manipulation under general anesthesia may be preferred