Abstract
17 cases (including 7 probable cases) of colonic tuberculosis (tbc) were studied in reference to clinical findings, the method of the definite diagnosis and X-ray features. Only 2 cases had active pulmonary tbc. Mantoux tests were all positive but one case, which had no ulceration. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was accelerated on all cases with ulceration. 12 out of 17 cases had various stages of ulcer, and tubercle bacilli were detected by cultivation of biopsy specimen in 9 out of 12 ulcerated cases. One of 3 cases in which tubercle bacilli could not be detected was definitely diagnosed by the investigation of the resected material, the other 2 were treated with anti-tuberculous drugs before the culture. We could get high positive rate, 9 out of 10 (90%), on cultivation in cases without therapy. Biopsy specimen were taken from the bottom or edge of the ulcer and there was no relation between results of tubercle bacillus culture and shape, size or depth of ulcers. On the other hand, the histological examination by biopsy revealed granuloma only in one case, but caseous necrosis did not exist. It will be considered that tubercle bacilli always exist on the bottom of active ulcers and that tubercle bacillus culture will be more effective than the histological exmination for the definite diagnosis of the cononic tbc. Out of 10 definite cases, there were 3 cases which had not so-called "scarred area with discoloration." The author classified X-ray patterns of colonic the into 3 groups.
