title: Endoscopic diagnosis of segmental colonic tuberculosis.
abstract: We report colonoscopic findings in 29 proven cases of segmental colonic tuberculosis. The colonoscopic appearances of tuberculosis included: mucosal nodules and ulcers, stricture with nodules and ulcerations, and mucosal nodules with or without pseudopolypoid folds. In 12 (41%) of 29 patients colonoscopy biopsies enabled a histologic diagnosis to be made on the basis of typical granulomas. Culture of biopsy tissue on Lowenstein Jensen media isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis in six (40%) of 15 patients. Combined histologic and bacteriologic evaluation established the diagnosis in 60% of patients. We conclude that even though target biopsy is an effective method of diagnosis, anti-tuberculous chemotherapy may be started on the basis of the endoscopic appearance if there is a high clinical suspicion of tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kushwaha
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dasarathy
authors.lastname: Shriniwas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chopra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014375:Tuberculoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000175:diagnosis*