Endoscopy 2004; 36(12): 1099-1103
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-826046
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Tuberculous Colonic Strictures: Impact of Dilation on Diagnosis

S.  P.  Misra1 , V.  Misra2 , M.  Dwivedi1 , J.  S.  Arora1 , B.  K.  Kunwar1
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad, India
  • 2Department of Pathology, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad, India
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 14 July 2004

Accepted after Revision 2 August 2004

Publication Date:
01 December 2004 (online)

Background and Study Aim: Colonic strictures are commonly encountered in patients with colonic tuberculosis. If the colonoscope cannot be negotiated past the stricture the procedure is abandoned, the colonic mucosa proximal to the stricture cannot be inspected, and therefore lesions in these locations may be missed.
Patients and Methods: 130 patients with colonic tuberculosis were studied. Of these 22 (17 %) had impassable colonic strictures. These strictures were dilated, the colonic mucosa proximal to the strictures was then inspected, and biopsies were obtained from lesions of suspicious appearance.
Results: All strictures could be dilated. No abnormality was found in 11 patients. In the other 11 patients one or more additional findings were noted on colonoscopy after dilation. A second stricture was found in three patients. Nodularity and/or ulceration was observed in the colon proximal to the site of the primary stricture in ten patients. Dilation of the strictures and histological examination of the biopsy from target lesions of the proximal colon contributed to making the definitive diagnosis in five patients. The diagnosis was not altered in the remaining six patients.
Conclusion: Dilation of colonic strictures facilitates inspection of the colonic mucosa proximal to the strictures, enabling biopsy of target lesions. This approach offers important diagnostic clues and confirmation of the diagnosis in several patients in whom lesions might be missed if strictures are not dilated.

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S. P. Misra, M. D., D. M.

Department of Gastroenterology, Motilal Nehru Medical College

Allahabad 211 001 · India

Fax: +91-532-2611420

Email: spmisra@sancharnet.in