[Colonoscopy in Crohn's disease of the colon]

The author's experience with 42 colonoscopies in 41 patients with barium enema diagnosis of Crohn's disease is presented. The radiologic, endoscopic, histologic and surgical results are compared. According to radiological localization, the patients were classified in these groups: anorectal (9.7%), colic (51.2%) and ileocolic (39.1%). In 34 patients (80.9%) the endoscopic appearance was compatible with Crohn's disease, and in 24 (70.5%) the histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. Endoscopic findings were as follows: segmental lesions in 34 (100%), aphthous ulcers in 18 (52.9%), cleft-like ulceration in 24 (70.5%) and cobblestone mucosa in 28 (82.3%). In 8 patients where endoscopy was not suggestive of Crohn's disease, the histologic examination was also negative, showing that colonoscopy was better than barium enema. Twenty patients with endoscopic diagnosis of Crohn's disease were operated and the diagnosis was confirmed in all. Endoscopic biopsies were positive in 12 (60%) of these operated patients. The author concludes that the endoscopic diagnosis of Crohn's disease can be made regardless of biopsy results.