What can be a serious complication of ulcerative colitis?

Toxic megacolon is a serious complication associated with ulcerative colitis, as it involves the extreme dilation of the colon and can lead to life-threatening conditions. In patients with ulcerative colitis, inflammation can cause significant damage to the colonic mucosa, disrupting normal motility and potentially leading to toxic megacolon. This condition can occur when the colon becomes overstretched and can no longer contract effectively, resulting in severe abdominal distension, pain, and an increased risk of perforation.

The pathophysiology of toxic megacolon is tied to the underlying inflammation and ulceration in ulcerative colitis, which may result in complications such as sepsis and death if not treated promptly. Management typically requires hospitalization, supportive care, and often surgical intervention, such as colectomy, especially if signs of perforation or peritonitis develop.

In contrast, the other choices, while they represent medical conditions, do not typically arise as direct complications of ulcerative colitis. Hepatocellular carcinoma is more closely linked with chronic liver disease rather than directly with colitis, appendicitis is a separate condition, and cholecystitis involves the gallbladder rather than the colon. Toxic megacolon is specifically indicative of severe