Fecal impaction means hard stool is stuck in the rectum or colon and is difficult to pass.
Symptoms often include severe constipation, abdominal discomfort, bloating, poor appetite, straining without being able to pass stool, and sometimes watery stool leaking around the blockage.
Imaging helps when constipation is severe, the abdomen is swollen, bowel obstruction is a concern, or doctors need to look for complications.
Abdominal X-rays or CT can help when bowel obstruction, severe constipation, or complications are being considered.
Management may include laxatives, enemas, manual removal, hydration, and prevention of recurrence.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
