Abstract
A prospective study was carried out on 41 patients diagnosed as having Crohn's disease
(CD) to evaluate the degree of upper gastrointestinal tract involvement. In 23 patients
(56 %), endoscopic alterations were found most frequently affecting the antrum and
duodenum. Lesions encountered were: Aphthoid erosions, ulcers, thickening of folds,
nodules, erythema and stenosis. Granulomas were found in biopsies in 19.5 % of the
patients: They were more frequent in those demonstrating endoscopic alterations (26 %)
than in those with normal endoscopic findings (11 %). Clinical evolution was favorable
with conventional treatment for CD and ranitidine, although the endoscopic lesions
did not totally disappear in any cases.
We conclude that upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies is useful in evaluating
the extension of disease and can be of diagnostic value in cases of indeterminate
colitis.
