Ileo-caecal granulomata

Endoscopic mucosal biopsies are useful in distinguishing granulomatous colitis due to Crohn's disease from tuberculosis

“…The granulomas and other histological features of Crohn’s disease have also been extensively described 26 9 11 21-23 There are only a few reports, however, that compare the histological changes of Crohn’s disease and TEC,1 2 4 17 and all these authors have emphasised the diagnostic difficulties in distinguishing these two conditions, even with the availability of surgically resected specimens.…”

Caecal tuberculosis.

“…The incidence of hypertrophic ileocaecal tuberculosis has been the subject of dispute since the description of regional enteritis in 1932 (Crohn et al, 1932) but it is evident that the condition still exists and that the incidence varies with the rate of tuberculosis in the community. The recent increase in case reports from this country (Lee and Roy, 1964;Howell and Knapton, 1964) can be related in part to tuberculosis in the immigrant population.…”

“…In certain cases the differentiation between those conditions, particularly on histological grounds, can be a matter of opinion and dispute (Lee and Roy, 1964).…”

Corticosteroids and corticotrophin in the treatment of Crohn's disease.

“…The numbers are too small to draw any conclusion as to whether the addition of these drugs was beneficial. Recent publications (Lee and Roy, 1964;Howell and Knapton, 1964) have re-emphasized the difficulty of distinguishing between ileo-caecal Crohn's disease and tuberculosis. Where doubt exists treatment with corticosteroids alone may be hazardous and the addition of anti-tuberculous treatment is advisable.…”