Effectiveness of India ink as a long-term colonic mucosal marker.
We prospectively studied the use of India ink as a long-term or "permanent" mucosal marker as part of a study investigating the natural history of diminutive distal colorectal polyps. Twenty-six patients had 32 India ink tatoos implanted. The tatoo sites of the 19 patients who were followed at least 6 months continued to display intensely stained mucosa at the original sites. No side effects or complications were encountered. India ink appears to be a safe and effective long-term marker for colonic mucosal lesions.
University of Arizona College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tucson.
M B
MB
Fennerty
R E
RE
Sampliner
L J
LJ
Hixson
H S
HS
Garewal
D002244:Carbon; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000473:pathology*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D004396:Coloring Agents; C028433:chinese ink; D002244:Carbon