[Crohn disease - value of coloscopy to the surgeon]

In a total of 1105 coloscopies, performed from 1977 to 1980, 36 patients with Crohn's disease could be found. 18 of them had an isolated involvement of the colon. In most cases coloscopy proved to be an important aid for surgical management. Using graded biopsies the diagnosis can be confirmed or excluded, despite the fact that Crohn-specific granulomas were seen only in 10 of 32 patients. The specificity of fistulas and stenoses can also be determined by coloscopy. With radiology producing false positive (4) and false negative (5) results in 30 patients, coloscopy in contrast proved to be the better diagnostic tool (2 false neg.). Every patient with Crohn's disease should be investigated preoperatively by additional coloscopy and biopsy.