El Salvador Atlas of Gastrointestinal VideoEndoscopy. A Large Database of Images and Video Clips with Cases Reported.
El Salvador Atlas of Gastrointestinal VideoEndoscopy
This is the photograph of the colon, and there is an extremely dark appearance to the wall of the colon. This is seen in patients who have taken laxatives over many years and the pigment from the laxative gets deposited in the wall of the bowel giving an extremely dark appearance to it.

Video Endoscopic Sequence 1 of 2.

Melanosis Coli.

 This is the photograph of the colon, and there is an
 extremely dark appearance to the wall of the colon. This is
 seen in patients who have taken laxatives over many years
 and the pigment from the laxative gets deposited in the wall
 of the bowel giving an extremely dark appearance to it.

 Download the video clips by clicking on the endoscopic
 images, if you wish to observe in full screen, wait to be
 downloaded complete then press Alt and Enter for
 Windows media, Real Player Ctrl and 3. 
 Configure the windows media in repeat is optimal.
 All endoscopic images shown in this Atlas contain
 video clips. We recommend seeing the video clips in full
 screen mode.    
Melanosis coli is a darkening of the colonic mucosa caused by the accumulation of lipofuscin particles within the macrophages of the lamina propria of the colonic mucosa as a result of long term exposure to anthraquinone-containing laxatives. This endoscopic finding is pathognomonic for laxative abuse and is reversible.

Video Endoscopic Sequence 2 of 2.

 Melanosis Coli.

 Melanosis coli is a darkening of the colonic mucosa caused
 by the accumulation of lipofuscin particles within the
 macrophages of the lamina propria of the colonic mucosa as
 a result of long term exposure to anthraquinone-containing
 laxatives. This endoscopic finding is pathognomonic for
 laxative abuse and is reversible.
 
Melanosis Coli. Pronounced Pigmentation of colonic mucosa. Sequel of chronic use of laxative of the anthraquinone group, which includes cascara sagrada, aloe, rhubarb, senna and fragula.

Melanosis Coli.

 Pronounced Pigmentation of colonic mucosa.
 Sequel of chronic use of laxative of the anthraquinone
 group, which includes cascara sagrada, aloe, rhubarb,
 senna and fragula.
The presence of identical pigment in macrophages of pericolonic lymph nodes has been reported. This case implies that the melanosis pigment-laden macrophages formed in the lamina propria of the colon pass to the regional lymph nodes and may explain the observation of similar pigment-laden macrophages in other sites.

Video Endoscopic Sequence 1 of 5.

Melanosis Coli.

Pubmed: Melanosis coli--a harmless pigmentation or a precancerous condition?

 The presence of identical pigment in macrophages of
 pericolonic lymph nodes has been reported. This case
 implies that the melanosis pigment-laden macrophages
 formed in the lamina propria of the colon pass to the
 regional lymph nodes and may explain the observation of
 similar pigment-laden macrophages in other sites.
Anthranoid-containing herbal laxatives damage epithelial cells, leading to changes in absorption,secretion and motility. They can induce cell loss, shortening of mucosal crypts and increased cell proliferation.2 It remains controversial whether melanosiscoli is associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer.

Video Endoscopic Sequence 2 of 5.

Melanosis Coli.

 Anthranoid-containing herbal laxatives damage epithelial
 cells, leading to changes in absorption,secretion and
 motility. They can induce cell loss, shortening of mucosal
 crypts and increased cell proliferation. It remains
 controversial whether melanosiscoli is associated with an
 increased risk for colorectal cancer.

 
MelanosisColiInmersion3

Video Endoscopic Sequence 3 of 5.

Immersion Colonoscopy and Melanosis Coli.
MelanosisColiInmersion4

Video Endoscopic Sequence 4 of 5.

Immersion Colonoscopy and Melanosis Coli.
Colonoscopy showing diffuse brownish pigmentation of the colonic mucosa compatible with melanosis coli.

Video Endoscopic Sequence 5 of 5.

Melanosis Coli.

 Colonoscopy showing diffuse brownish pigmentation of the
 colonic mucosa compatible with melanosis coli.

 
Melanosis coli and diverticula.

Melanosis Coli and Diverticula.