# Ultrasonographic Diagnosis and Conservative Management of Fecal Impaction

## TL;DR

This case study shows how ultrasound can help diagnose and treat fecal impaction without surgery, especially in elderly patients.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the use of point-of-care ultrasound for both diagnosing and guiding treatment of fecal impaction.

## Key findings

- POCUS accurately diagnosed fecal impaction in a 70-year-old patient.
- Ultrasound-guided glycerin enema improved the patient's condition without surgery.
- Real-time monitoring with POCUS helped assess treatment effectiveness.

## Abstract

Fecal impaction (FI) is a clinically significant condition, especially in the elderly, and may lead to fatal complications, such as stercoral ulceration and intestinal perforation. A 70-year-old man presented with abdominal bloating and was diagnosed with FI using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). He was treated with an ultrasound-guided glycerin enema, and the therapeutic effect was monitored in real-time. The patient's condition improved, and he was discharged without requiring surgical intervention. This case demonstrates that POCUS is a valuable tool not only for diagnosing FI but also for dynamically assessing the effectiveness of conservative treatment and guiding management decisions.