Crohn's disease of the appendix: remission obtained by total parenteral nutrition

A woman, aged 37 years, who had been suffering from advanced Crohn's disease for many years, was treated with long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN), given in two 2-month periods at an interval of 6 months. Prior to the introduction of TPN there was inflammation of the appendix, the terminal ileum, and the entire colon. During the first period of TPN there was a temporary clinical and radiological improvement in the state of the intestinal tract, including the appendix. Two months after the first period of TPN abdominal pain recurred, and colonoscopy disclosed renewed severe inflammation of the mucosa from the cecum to the rectum. At operation, on day 45 of the second period of TPN, due to remaining stenosis of the terminal ileum, there was no longer any inflammation of the appendix, confirmed by histological examination.