Lymphoid hyperplasia of the intestine has been associated with multiple diseases and
symptoms. This study was undertaken to analyze the number and topographical distribution
of the lymphoid follicles. A total of 302 adult consecutive patients were enrolled
when they underwent elective colonoscopy. Standardized pictures from terminal ileum
and colon were taken using video colonoscopes. In each picture, the number, size,
and mucosal elevation of lymphoid follicles were analyzed in relation to histological
and immunological findings and medical history. Lymphoid hyperplasia was found to
be most extensive in the terminal ileum and cecum. Patients with untreated gastrointestinally
mediated allergy (GMA) showed the highest number of lymphoid follicles per visible
field in the terminal ileum (P < 0.001) and cecum (P = 0.003) vs. the control group. Patients with infectious colitis also showed a high
number of lymphoid follicles per endoscopic visible field in the transverse colon
(P = 0.020). The presence of lymphoid hyperplasia is a frequent finding during colonoscopy.
It may indicate an enhanced immunological mucosal response to antigenic stimulation
such as GMA or infection.
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E. KraussMD
Department of Medicine I
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Ulmenweg 18
91054 Erlangen
Germany
Fax: +49-9131-8535182
Email: ekaterina.krauss@uk-erlangen.de