Abstract
A study was carried on the distribution and numbers of argentaffin cells in surgically resected and biopsyed out colon.
The resected materials were 34 cases of colon and rectum cancer, 8 cases of colon diverticulosis, 9 cases of colon tuberculosis, 9 cases of simple ulcer, 4 cases of ulcerative colitis, 5 cases of Crohn's disease and the 13 biopsy material of ulcerative colitis. Argentaffin cells were counted as numbers per 100 intestinal crypts. The results obtained were as follows :
There were no difference in numbers of argentaffin cells in the surrounding areas of colon tuberculosis, companing with normal distribution. However, in the lesions of colon tuberculosis, the marked reduction of argentaffin cells were observed. In the simple ulcer, numbers of the argentaffin cells around the ulcer were increased. Argentaffin cells were increased in slightly inflammatory part of the ulcerative colitis resected in surgery and in biopsy materials at remission state and early active stage of ulcerative colitis. On the other hand, argentaffin cells were decreased in numbers in the lesions of Crohn's disease.
The charactaristic distribution of argentaffin cells among these diseases was investigated in their lesion and their surrounding areas.
Conclusively, it is very useful for the differential diagnosis of these diseases on the standpoint of the characteristic distribution of the argentaffin cells in the lesions and the surrounding areas
