SEGMENTAL TUBERCULOSIS OF THE COLON DIAGNOSED BY COLONOSCOPY

Abstract

A patient with a radiologically demonstrated strictures lesion of the sigmoid colon was found at colonoscopy to have several hemorrhagic transverse ulcers ranging in diameter between 1-4.5 cm. Multiple target colonscopic biopsies, specifically from the ulcer beds, revealed necrotizing granulomas and acid-fast bacilli. Antituberculous chemotherapy produced remarkable symptomatic, radiographic and endoscopic improvements and averted exploratory laparotomy for the establishment of the diagnosis. The importance of colonoscopic biopsy as a useful diagnostic modality in this disease was demonstrated.