A STUDY OF IDIOPATHIC PROCTITIS AND PROCTITIS AND/OR PROCTOSTOSIGMOIDITIS ACCOMPANYING COMMON COLD-LIKE SYMP-TOMS

Abstract

In order to elaborate on a difference between the idiopathic proctitis and the proctitis and/or proctosigmoiditis accompanying common cold-like symptoms, we have compared with 23 cases of the former and 10 cases of the latter, both of which were found by routine procto-sigmoidscopic examination in our department of medicine for the past 15 months. The result were as follows (1) Only endoscopic examination with biopsy for the rectum could make diagnosis for proctitis. None of other diagnostic procedures including clinical symptoms, labolatory data and X-ray findings failed to reveal the diagnosis of proctitis. We have used the Olympus CF-MB2 routinely. (2) All of the 10 cases of proctitis and/or procto-sigmoiditis accompanying common cold-like symptoms were encountered during a period from December 1977 to March 1978 when the influenza due to Hongkong A-type virus prevailed concomitantly around the city. Therefore we have speculated that the proctitis and/or proctosigmoidi+is accompanying common cold-like symptoms might be caused by viral infection, although no definite proof for that was available so far. (3) In spite of the above observations we could not distinguish the difference among ulcerative colitis, idiopathic proctitis and the possible viral procto-sigmoiditis either by endoscopic or histological examinations as well as by X-ray examination. In Summary, we feel strongly the necessity to follow up those cases similar to ours, particularly using further diagnostic aid including immunological and virological techniques.