Mesenteric vasculopathy in intestinal tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
Involvement of mesenteric vessels in intestinal tuberculosis and its role in the pathogenesis of the intestinal changes have not been studied histologically.


OBJECTIVE
To study mesenteric vessels in patients undergoing surgery for complications of intestinal tuberculosis.


METHODS
Resected intestinal specimens from 68 patients presenting with intestinal perforation and intestinal obstruction were examined; involvement of the major mesenteric vessels was evaluated.


RESULTS
Granulomas were seen in the vessel wall in one case and near the vessel wall in 11 cases, intraluminal thrombi were seen in 23 cases, and subintimal fibrosis in nine cases. Perivascular cuffing was seen in intramural and subserosal vessels in ten cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in the vessel wall may lead to gut ischemia, which may contribute to the development of strictures and stercoral perforation in intestinal tuberculosis.
Kuwajerwala
N K
NK
Department of General Surgery, Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai.
Bapat
R D
RD
Joshi
A S
AS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000473:pathology*