Melanosis Coli

Melanosis coli is brown-black pigmentation of colonic mucosa from lipofuscin deposition, due to chronic anthraquinone laxative use (senna/cascara), benign, incidental on colonoscopy. Treatment: stop anthraquinone/stimulant laxatives; switch to osmotic laxatives (polyethylene glycol/lactulose); fiber/fluids/exercise for constipation; reassurance; pigmentation resolves over months after discontinuation; surveillance colonoscopy as usual (polyps may be harder to see against pigmented mucosa); follow-up.

Common Symptoms

Asymptomatic; brown-black mucosa on colonoscopy; by chronic stimulant laxative

Causes and Pathogenesis

Anthraquinone laxatives cause macrophage lipofuscin deposition in mucosa.

Treatment

Stop stimulant laxatives; osmotic laxatives; fiber/fluids; reassurance

Preventive Measures

Avoid long-term stimulant laxatives; treat constipation with fiber/osmotic.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Gastroenterology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.