A CASE OF INTESTINAL TUBERCULOSIS WHICH SHOULD BE DIFFERENTIATED FROM CROHN'S DISEASE

Abstract

A 59-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with the suspected diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Colonoscopy revealed multiple longitudinal ulcers and a cobblestone-like appearance in the constricted transverse colon. Histological examination of biopsy specimens showed non-caseous epithelioid granulomas. However, a barium enema x-ray disclosed a straight line to the ileocecum and the shortening of the ascending colon, including a circular narrowing transverse colon. The contrast enema findings cast strong doubt on intestinal tuberculosis. However, mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was detected with the smear technique and PCR method from the biopsy specimens at the time of the reexamination. We report herein on a case of intestinal tuberculosis which was thought to be important for a differential diagnosis for Crohn's disease.