Melanosis Coli Associated with Laxative Herbal Teas Ingestion in a Brazilian Amazon Woman: Case Report Melanosis Coli Associado À Ingestão De Chás Laxativos Herbais Em Uma Mulher Da Amazonia Brasileira: Relato De Caso

Objective: to describe the case of a Brazilian Amazon woman presenting macroscopic melanosis coli associated with the chronic use of laxative herbal teas. Case Report: a 48years-old woman was referred for evaluation of a diffuse abdominal pain, intestinal meteorism, gastric plenitude, eructation and chronic constipation. The patient confirmed the use of laxatives and herbal teas as auto-medication for several years. Physical examination of the abdomen was normal, except for the presence of pain at colonic topography. Colonoscopy showed a dark pigmentation of the colonic mucosa, beginning in the descending colon and extending to the cecum, consistent with a diagnosis of melanosis coli. The patient was treated with prokinetics, lactulosis and antiphysetics and was oriented to keep a fiber rich diet, practice physical exercises and to stop the use of laxatives. She showed a remarkable improvement on her intestinal function within months and is currently being followed ambulatorily. Final considerations: melanosis coli is a rare complication that may occur in patients using laxatives and herbal teas chronically as auto-medication to treat symptoms of intestinal constipation. KEY-WORDS: Melanosis coli, laxative herbal teas. INTRODUCTION Melanosis coli (MC) is an abnormal condition characterized by a brown and black pigmentation of the colonic mucosa caused by the presence of lipofuscin in macrophages within the lamina propria (1, 2). It is found during sigmoidoscopy in about 10% of patients over 40 years of age and is commonly associated with the chronic use of laxative drugs and herbal extracts, mainly those containing anthraquinone (1, 3, 4). OBJECTIVE The aim of this report is to describe the case of a Brazilian Amazon woman presenting macroscopic MC associated with the chronic use of laxative herbal teas.