[Transient ischemic colitis. Diagnostic value of patchy epithelial atrophy]

Microscopic findings, observed in 58 colonic biopsies, have been described by the authors during transient ischemic colitis. One of these lesions, closely associated with the diagnosis and named patchy tubular atrophy, was considered as a marker for ischemia. Patchy tubular atrophy was observed at the beginning of the disease, and was regularly associated with normal and necrotic areas. Three morphological aspects characterized this condition: --non secretory glandular crypts covered with rudimentary basophilic epithelium, --crypts regularly distributed in a geometrical pattern with intact connective spaces, --absence of interstitial inflammatory infiltrate, and presence of fibrinous thrombosis with extravasation of erythrocytes. This morphologic pattern was specific enough to rule ou the other inflammatory or trophic bowel diseases. Therefore patchy tubular atrophy, observed during transient ischemic colitis, was considered by authors as a distinct entity.