Stercoral Colitis in an Elderly Patient With Bipolar Disorder: A Diagnostic Challenge

Stercoral colitis can develop rapidly and present atypically in elderly patients, particularly those with cognitive impairment and psychiatric illness, where nonspecific symptoms may delay diagnosis. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion, especially in socially vulnerable individuals where elder neglect, malnutrition, and poor functional status may further obscure the clinical picture.