LESIONS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT RESEMBLING REGIONAL ENTERITIS--A GRANULOMATOUS DISEASE; A REPORT OF THREE CASES

Abstract

Although regional enteritis classically involves the terminal ileum, lesions showing similar histology may involve other segments of the gastrointestinal tract, either independently or concomitantly with terminal ileum involvement. Histologically the basic reaction is non-specific chronic inflammation with a granulomatous component and a variable degree of fibrosis. Such lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract resulted in nonspecific intestinal complaints and roentgenographically showed mucosal alterations and loss of normal motility. Those with colonic involvement were difficult to differentiate from ulcerative colitis, clinically and, in the early stages, roentgenographically. With more advanced involvement, roentgenographical diagnosis was possible.Three patients with lesions illustrating the aforementioned features were diagnosed and treated. One had lesions in the colon and terminal ileum. In the others the terminal ileum was not involved; in the second the stomach, duodenum and upper jejunum were involved, and in the third the colon was involved.