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CROHN'S DISEASE OF THE COLON AND DIVERTICULITIS
Author(s) -
Schmidt Graham
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1969.tb103373.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diverticulosis , diverticulitis , rectum , biopsy , anus , pathological , fistula , crohn's disease , diverticular disease , lesion , inflammatory bowel disease , sigmoid colon , disease , gastroenterology , surgery
Crohn's disease occurring in a segment of colon also containing diverticula is described in 26 cases. The diagnosis was made by pathological examination of the resected bowel’ in 14 cases and by anal or rectal biopsy in the remaining 12. An anal lesion or fistula was present in 24 of the 26 patients, and sigmoidoscopic examination showed abnormal features in 23 cases. The anus and rectum appeared normal in only one case, but rectal mucosal biopsy revealed abnormalities. The 26 patients are compared with 50 others operated on for diverticulosis or its complications alone. Crohn's disease coexisting with diverticula was suggested radiologically by unusual Assuring, mucosal lesions separate from the area of diverticulosis or fistula formation. Typical giant‐cell granulomata were found in 10 of 11 biopsy specimens of anal lesions and 12 of 13 of rectal lesions. Pathological examination of resected specimens from patients with combined disease showed a diffuse mucosal lesion and transmural inflammation with fissures and non‐caseating giant‐cell systems. The knowledge that Crohn's disease is present in addition to diverticula in a segment of colon may be important in treatment. Postoperative complications were more common after resection in patients with combined disease than after resection for diverticulosis or its complications alone. The presence of Crohn's disease may affect medical management, particularly regarding the use of corticosteroids.