Abstract
Electric endoscopic image signals of rectal mucosa were sampled using a still video recorder (Fujix, R5000-MH) under usual observative conditions. Images were processed after 8-bit A/D conversion using an image processing unit (Olympus, SP-1000), and rectal mucosal hemoglobin index (HI) was defined as a parameter for microcirculation. Hemoglobin index (HI) was determined as logarithms of G-signal (Vg)/R-signal (Vr) ratios in regions of interest on electric endoscopic images. [HI=32⋅log. (Vg/Vr)] At the same time, histological findings of biopsy specimens collected from rectal mucosas were compared to HI values obtained in these areas. All samples were amounted to 149 cases. Rectal mucosa was histologically obseved on 5 headings. (1) inflammatory cell infiltra-tion, (2) intramucosal bleeding, (3) erosions, (4) number of blood vessels and (5) vascular diameter were observed. Mean HI values showed significant intergroup differences. The group of predominant inf lamatory cell infiltration shows high HI value. The groups of intramucosal bleeding and erosions showed higher HI value. And thick vascular diameter and large number of blood vessels affect HI value. HI values were low in patients with chronic constipation and high in those with diarrhea.
