McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome
McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome is a rare condition characterized by severe water-electrolyte imbalance due to the secretion of large amounts of fluid by a mucinous adenoma of the rectum or colon. The syndrome was first described by McKittrick and Wheelock in 1954.
Etiology[edit | edit source]
The primary cause of McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome is a mucinous adenoma, a type of benign tumor that originates from the glandular epithelium of the rectum or colon. These tumors secrete large amounts of mucus, which can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
Patients with McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome typically present with symptoms of severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, such as fatigue, weakness, and confusion. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. In severe cases, the syndrome can lead to hypovolemic shock, a life-threatening condition characterized by a severe loss of blood volume.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome is typically made based on the patient's clinical presentation and the results of colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, which can reveal the presence of a mucinous adenoma. Additional tests, such as blood tests and urine tests, may be performed to assess the severity of the patient's dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The primary treatment for McKitrick–Wheelock syndrome is the surgical removal of the mucinous adenoma. This can usually be accomplished through a colectomy or proctectomy, depending on the location of the tumor. In addition to surgery, patients may require intravenous fluids and electrolyte supplements to correct their dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
With prompt diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for patients with McKitrick–Wheelock syndrome is generally good. However, if left untreated, the syndrome can lead to serious complications, including hypovolemic shock and renal failure.
See Also[edit | edit source]
NIH genetic and rare disease info[edit source]
McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome is a rare disease.
| McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
