Ileoscopy in 39 hematochezia patients with normal colonoscopy

To assess the role of retrograde terminal ileoscopy in hematochezia patients with normal colonoscopy.

Between January 1997 and March 2005, 39 hematochezia patients (males 36, females 3, mean age 44.7 years) with a reported normal colonoscopy underwent a repeat colonoscopy. After reaching the cecum, attempt was made to localize the ileocecal valve and intubate the terminal ileum. Any abnormality in the mucosa of the terminal ileum was carefully recorded and biopsies were obtained from suspicious-looking lesions.

During the study period there were 39 patients admitted for hematochezia in whom colonoscopy till cecum did not reveal any abnormality. Full-length colonoscopy till the cecum could be performed in all the patients. The terminal ileum could be intubated in 36 patients. No abnormality was noted in 31 patients. Ileal ulcers were noted in two patients. Nodularity along with ulceration of the ileal mucosa, a Dieulafoy's lesion, and an angiomatous malformation were noted in one patient each. Histological examination of the biopsies obtained from the ulcers revealed typical tuberculous lesion in the patient with nodularity and ulceration. One of the patients had typhoid ulcers and another had non-specific ulcers.

Retrograde terminal ileoscopy gives limited but valuable information, in patients with hematochezia and should be attempted in all such patients.