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Abstract

The term melanosis in the gastrointestinal tract refers to the accumulation of pigment deposits in the mucosa. Melanosis of the colon is not uncommon and has been associated with certain conditions, however melanosis of the small intestine is extremely rare. Herein, we describe a case in which we observed melanosis not only in the colon, but in the terminal ileum as well, associated with the use of anthraceneline laxatives. The clinical significance of this condition is not clear, however Gastroenterologists and Pathologists should be aware of its existence.

Melanosis Ilei Associated with Chronic Ingestion of Oral Iron

“… 2 Melanosis ilei combined with melanosis coli should be differentiated because it cannot be ascertained that the terminal ileum and other parts of the small intestine are never affected in melanosis coli. 1 , 6 Melanosis ilei combined with melanosis coli usually results from the chronic use of laxatives. 6 In contrast, melanosis ilei without melanosis coli is not associated with the use of laxatives, as in our case.…”

“… 1 , 6 Melanosis ilei combined with melanosis coli usually results from the chronic use of laxatives. 6 In contrast, melanosis ilei without melanosis coli is not associated with the use of laxatives, as in our case. Melanosis ilei without melanosis coli, endoscopically, shows grayish-black or brownish-black punctuate pigmentations in the ileal mucosa, which does not extend beyond the ileocecal valve like our case.…”

“…Melanosis ilei without melanosis coli, endoscopically, shows grayish-black or brownish-black punctuate pigmentations in the ileal mucosa, which does not extend beyond the ileocecal valve like our case. 2 - 6 …”

Melanosis Coli: Case Report

“…Antrakinonlar kolon epitel hücreleri üzerinde direk toksik etkiye sahiptir ve bu melanozis kolide makrofajlarda gözlenen lipofuskin denilen koyu pigmentin üretimi ile sonuçlanır. Çekum ve rektum melanozis kolinin en yaygın görüldüğü yerlerdir fakat kalın barsağın diğer kısımlarını ve ince barsakları da etkileyebilir [1,2,4]. Antrakinon içeren laksatiflerin kolonik epitelyum hücrelerinde bazı organelleri geri dönüşümsüz hasara uğrattığı gözlenmektedir.…”