Inflammatory diseases of the bowel: a Malaysian experience

A 10-year experience in the diagnosis and treatment of 92 patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in Kuala Lumpur is described. Tuberculosis (34 cases) was the most common inflammatory bowel disease of surgical importance. The clinical presentation of tuberculous enteritis and Crohn's disease is similar, though tuberculosis is strongly suggested by associated pulmonary disease and radiological evidence of caecal involvement. The finding of 10 cases each of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is in keeping with an increased awareness of these conditions in a developing urban society where facilities exist for thorough investigation of diarrhoeal diseases. Amoebiasis sometimes causes a granulomatous lesion simulating carcinoma. Diverticular disease of the colon as known in the West is of very rare occurrence.