[Crohn's disease. The problem of early diagnosis]

A retrospective analysis was made of the diagnostic period of Crohn's disease as well as of x-ray and endoscopic signs in 28 patients. Three forms of the disease were distinguished: acute (pseudoappendicular), stenosing with chronic intestinal obstruction syndrome and primary chronic characterized by the triad (pains in the stomach, diarrhea, fever) or by the syndrome of malabsorption with extraintestinal manifestations. In the stenosing and primary chronic forms of Crohn's disease, a correct diagnosis was established in the majority of the patients 3-5 years after appearance of the symptoms. To improve early diagnosis of Crohn's disease, it is recommended that indications for x-ray and endoscopic examinations be extended. These examinations are indicated in all the patients with recurrent pains in the right iliac area, fever of obscure genesis and chronic diarrhea.