Coprolite (Enterolith)

Coprolite (from the ancient Greek κόπρος - feces and λίθος - stone), or enterolite, is a fecal calculus formed inside the intestines.

Coprolites are hard mineral deposits consisting of calcium, magnesium and ammonium salts. They form around foreign bodies in the intestines, such as gallstones, undigested plant seeds or fruit pits.

The growth of coprolite occurs gradually, as layers of minerals from the intestinal contents are deposited on the foreign body. Over time, the calculus can reach significant sizes - up to 10 cm in diameter.

Coprolites are rare and are more common in older people and patients with constipation. They can cause various complications such as intestinal obstruction, inflammation, ulcers and intestinal perforation.

Diagnosis of coprolites is based on medical history, clinical picture and instrumental research methods - radiography, computed tomography. Treatment consists of surgical removal or crushing. Prevention involves preventing constipation, correcting metabolic disorders and careful consumption of foods with seeds.

Coprolites (enterolith) or fecal stones are hard formations inside the intestines that can occur with certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The formation of coprolites is usually associated with the accumulation of feces and its insufficient passage through the intestines. Sometimes stool forms a stone and begins to linger in the intestines for a long time.

Coprolites can cause some painful symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, cramping and abdominal pain. They can also lead to chronic inflammation in the gut and worsen overall health. In addition, fecal stones may be associated with other gastrointestinal diseases such as gallstones, pancreatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Diagnosis of coprolite is carried out using ultrasound. Computed tomography or other diagnostic methods may also be used. Treatment for coprolites may include dietary changes, laxatives, and other

When a doctor discovers a stone in a person's intestines, this is a serious cause for concern. A coprolite, also known as an enterolite, is a calculus that forms inside the intestines and can cause unpleasant symptoms in the patient. In this article we will look at the reasons for the formation of coprolites, their symptoms and treatment methods. Let us also remember the history of the origin of the term and tell you how exactly such a stone is formed.

History of the term The name "coprolite" was first used in medical literature in 1979 by Dr. Philip J. Rogers and colleagues at Ganong Medical College at the University of Utah. They used it to describe the radiographic appearance of a dense fecal stone surrounded by a brightly defined layer of intestinal mucosa (usually in the cecum). Later, the term became widely used to refer to such formations.

Reasons for the formation of coprolites The main factor leading to the formation of coprolites in the intestine is the reflux of the contents of the duodenum and colon back into the intestine. The reasons for this may be: disruption of normal intestinal motility, inflammation of the intestine, tumors of the small intestine, thyroid disease, acid-base balance disorders and others. Among the reasons for the reflux of colon contents back into the intestines, there are also the most common factors: irregular diet, consumption of fatty and spicy foods, overeating, and alcohol abuse.

Symptoms of coprolite formation.