J Hildell — Page 3 | PubMed Health

PubMed1976

Angiography in Crohn's disease revisited.

The diagnostic value of angiography was studied in 116 patients with Crohn's disease. Angiograms showed abnormalities in over 90% of the cases. Many angiographic features were nonspecific; only the "zoning sign" and the presence of paraintestinal mesenteric neovasculature were considered diagnostic. Crohn's colitis could be distinguished from ulcerative colitis in only 30% of the cases. Angiography, as a diagnostic adjunct to barium studies, will reveal the presence of lesions and their extent. This is particularly important in suspected postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease. Angiography is a potential differential diagnostic aid in doubtful cases of inflammatory and malignant bowel disease.

Angiography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Crohn's disease confined to the appendix.

Crohn's disease confined to the appendix is a rare entity, less than 50 cases having been reported. The present study reports on another 12 cases representing 6 per cent of all 194 patients operated upon for Crohn's disease in a total, unselected series. The indications for surgery were appendicitis in eight patients, appendiceal abscess in two, suspected pyosalpinx in one, and an ovarian cyst in one. The appendices were in all cases strikingly enlarged. Giant-cell granulomas, without microabscesses were detected in all but one patient. Two patients had early septic postoperative complications. Fistulization from the cecum did not occur. The median observation time after operation was 13.8 years. Since none of the patients had further manifestations of the disease, it is concluded that patients with Crohn's disease confined to the appendix have a favorable prognosis.

Adolescent↗