[Granuloma in Crohn's disease of the colon and rectum--a study of resection specimens]

The aim of the present study was to investigate frequency and distribution of granulomas in resected specimens of patients with well known Crohn's disease. Granulomas were observed in 57% (8/14) of all cases. Their distribution varied remarkably between different sections of the same resectional sample as well as between the patients. 11.6% of all granulomas were found within the lamina propria, 42.9% within the submucosa, and 45.5% within the muscularis propria. The mean value per cm muscularis mucosae was 0.85 +/- 0.82 granulomas. Caused by the heterogeneity in frequency and distribution there is no guarantee for a successful identification of this helpful parameter. During the last years the diagnosis Crohn's disease became more and more certain even in absence of granulomas. Therefore they are an useful but dispensable feature.