Ten cases of Crohn's disease and 8 cases of intestinal tuberculosis were treated in our department in the last 7.5 years and analyzed clinicopathologically from the viewpoint of differential diagnosis.
The following results were obtained.
1) Mean age at diagnosis of Crohn's disease was 25.1 years old, and that of intestinal tuberculosis was 46.4 years old.
2) Characteristic clinical symptoms for differential diagnosis were not observed.
3) Laboratory findings of Crohn's disease were the same as intestinal tuberculosis. Positive rates of PPD skin test were 40% in Crohn's disease and 100% in intestinal tuberculosis.
4) Skip lesions were observed in both Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis.
5) Macroscopically, longitudinal ulcer was characteristic in Crohn's disease. Atypical forms of ulcer were seen in intestinal tuberculosis.
6) Microscopically, noncaseating granuloma was seen in both Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis. It was difficult to diagnose Crohn's disease or intestinal tuberculosis by the histological findings of the existence of non-caseating granuloma.