Multiple strictures in Crohn's disease of the small bowel: a benign variant

Involvement of both jejunum and ileum is uncommon in Crohn's disease of the small bowel. We report five patients with multiple strictures of the small bowel associated with one or more intervening segments of dilated bowel. A diagnosis of Crohn's disease was delayed because none of the patients experienced diarrhea. Despite the early radiologic appearance of extensive small bowel disease, only three patients have required surgery, a limited surgical resection of 65-75 cm was possible, and long-term prognosis has been favorable.