[Light and electron microscopic study of melanosis coli]

The authors describe the results of light- and electronmicroscopic investigation of the colonic mucosa in melanosis, occurring at a 35 years old male patient. In the tunica propria mucosae pigment storage macrophages described histologically can be recognized as well by the aid of electron microscope. In contrast to the light-microscopic picture, electronmicroscopically separation of the epithelial cells of the mucosa, accumulation of foreign material in the enlarged intercellular spaces, accumulation of granular-fibrillar matrix in the tunica propria and presence of plasma cells with increased secretory activity can be revealed. It is assumed, that separation of epithelial cells of the mucosa goes with the disturbance of the absorptive function. It can not be excluded, that electronmicroscopically revealed lesions of the coolnic musoca aggravate the severe obstipation. For this reason early diagnosis of the melanosis coli and ceasing the medication with athranol-glycosida-containing laxatives are very important.