ABSTRACT

Long-term use of anthraquinone-containing laxatives frequently causes melanosis coli. Our aim was to overview the topic and related literature by presenting the case report of a patient with melanosis coli. A 27-year-old Turkish woman was being prepared for a hemorrhoidal operation. She had a history of chronic constipation and had been using an anthraquinone-containing laxative for the last five years. When colonoscopy was performed, the whole mucosa from the rectum to the cecum was found hyperemic-edematous with brown pigmented areas and some ulcerated-polypoid lesions. Histopathological examination of the colon biopsies revealed melanosis coli. The patient was advised to stop taking the laxative and dietary modifications were made for constipation. Melanosis coli is a benign and generally reversible pathology when laxatives are discontinued but may be related to an increased risk of colorectal carcinoma, which should always be kept in mind.

Keywords: Laxatives, melanosis