Anal complications in Crohn's disease

Anal fissures, fistulas, and abscesses occurred as complications in 22 per cent of our population of 1,098 patients with Crohn's disease. Crohn's colitis was much more frequently associated with an anal lesion than Crohn's disease of the small bowel (52 per cent vs. 14 per cent). When an anal lesion is the manifesting sign, Crohn's disease will soon develop elsewhere in the intestine. Since these lesions frequently herald the onset of intestinal Crohn's disease, the physician must always be aware of the possibility of inflammatory bowel disease when dealing with suspicions anal lesions. Read at the Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Hollywood Florida, May 11 to 16, 1980.     

Arterial thrombotic complications in Crohn's disease

In a series of 230 observations of Crohn's disease, the authors describe 4 cases of arterial thrombosis; two of them involving cerebral arteries. These complications occurred in young women without any notable risk factor for atheroma. All patients had highly active Crohn's disease when arterial thrombosis occurred: two of them had several episodes of thrombosis and three, extraintestinal manifestations. As the arterial thromboses are often severe, rarely foreseeable and the venous thromboses frequent, the point is whether to use anticoagulants. When Crohn's disease is highly active, but only if there are no hemorrhagic lesions, anticoagulants at prophylactic doses may be recommended. How to define more exactly a high risk thromboses population deserves further investigation.     

The importance of disease-free margins in resections for Crohn's disease

It has long been a fundamental principle of surgical therapy for Crohn's disease to remove all disease prior to doing an anastomosis. The authors recently noted with concern an article describing a series of patients demonstrating that residual involvement of anastomotic microscopic disease had no significant effect on the recurrence rate at the anastomosis. Examining their own series of 710 patients undergoing surgery for Crohn's disease. The authors found 42 patients with residual anastomotic disease. The criteria for involvement were more specific than that used in the above article and included microscopic mucosal disease. The recurrence rate within the follow-up period of eight years in patients with only microscopic involvement was 89.4 per cent. This was significantly higher than the institutional recurrence rate for Crohn's resections, previously reported, of 55 per cent at ten years. The authors feel that clear margins should be obtained in resections for Crohn's disease, if at all feasible.     

Budesonide prolongs time to relapse in ileal and ileocaecal Crohn's disease. A placebo controlled one year study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the topical corticosteroid budesonide, given in an oral controlled release formulation for maintenance of remission in patients with ileal and ileocaecal Crohn's disease (CD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Out of 176 patients with active CD who had achieved remission (CD activity index score < or = 150) after 10 weeks' treatment with either budesonide or prednisolone, 90 were randomised to continue with once daily treatment of 6 mg budesonide, or 3 mg budesonide or placebo for up to 12 months in a double blind, multicentre trial. Time to symptomatic relapse was calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Morning plasma cortisol was measured at clinic visits and a corticotropin stimulation test was performed after three months of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty two patients were allocated to the 6 mg budesonide group, 31 to the 3 mg group, and 27 to the placebo group. After three months, 19 per cent of the patients in the 6 mg group had relapsed, compared with 45 per cent in the 3 mg group and 44 per cent in the placebo group (p = 0.047). The corresponding results after 12 months was 59 per cent in the 6 mg budesonide group, 74 per cent in the 3 mg group, and 63 per cent in the placebo group (p = 0.44). The median time to relapse or discontinuation was 258 days in the 6 mg group, 139 days in the 3 mg group, and 92 days in the placebo group (p = 0.021). Mean morning plasma cortisol values increased from entry in all three groups with no statistically significant differences at 12 months. All 13 patients remaining in the placebo group after three months had a normal corticotropin stimulation response, compared with 18 of 23 patients in the 6 mg, and 19 of 21 in the 3 mg budesonide groups (p = 0.14). Acne and moon face were slightly more common in the budesonide groups. CONCLUSION: 6 mg budesonide once daily is significantly more efficacious than placebo in prolonging time to relapse in CD, and causes only minor systemic side effects.     

Ultrasonographic detection of intestinal complications in Crohn's disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound (US) in assessing the main abdominal complications of Crohn's disease (CD), such as strictures, fistulas and abscesses. A series of 98 consecutive inpatients with complicated and uncomplicated Crohn's disease, having undergone a complete endoscopic and radiographic evaluation of the intestinal tract, entered the study. In particular, in these patients the presence of strictures, fistulas, and abscesses, detected by means of colonoscopy, small bowel x-ray, double-contrast barium enema, and computed tomography, was also assessed by means of transabdominal US. US sensitivity and specificity in the assessment of stenosis of Crohn's disease were 74.4% and 93.1%, respectively. When ileal and colonic stenosis were considered separately, transabdominal US correctly assessed 84.6% of ileal stenosis and 58.8% of colonic stenosis. Eight of 12 fistulas were detected, but only 50% of enteroenteric fistulas were diagnosed. The presence of abscesses was correctly detected in 83.3% of cases by means of US. Our data suggest that US is a suitable complementary method for the detection of abdominal complications of Crohn's disease, such as strictures and abscesses; however, its usefulness in assessing enteroenteric fistulas seems to be fairly limited.     

Treatment of the anastomotic complications in patients with Crohn's disease

Purpose  

Postoperative anastomotic complications in patients with Crohn's disease undergoing bowel resections have a detrimental influence on the long-term outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients' prognosis is affected by various treatment strategies of anastomotic complications.     

Urologic complications in Crohn's disease: suspicion criteria

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Genitourinary complications occur in 4 to 35% of Crohn's disease patients. The aim of this study was to assess the threshold to suspect urologic involvement in Crohn's disease in order to plan the correct surgical management. METHODOLOGY: Medical records of 258 consecutive patients who have undergone bowel resection for Crohn's disease were reviewed. We evaluated recurrent urinary tract infections, fever, dysuria, pneumaturia, fecaluria, abdominal mass at palpation or lower back pain at percussion, abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography scan reports. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were performed with Fisher exact and log-linear tests respectively. RESULTS: Urologic complications were found in 11 patients (4.3%). Fistulizing disease, female gender and inflammatory mass were significantly increased in Crohn's disease patients with urinary tract involvement (p < 0.01). Ultrasound and computerized tomography scan demonstrated good specificity, sensibility, positive and negative predicting values for urologic complications. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of abdominal mass in a Crohn's disease patient, the following step should be abdominal ultrasound or computerized tomography scan to rule out involvement of the ureter that should be treated previously to improve the intraoperative picture and patient general status.     

Intestinal stenosis and perforating complications in Crohn's disease

The charts of 384 patients with Crohn's disease were reviewed to assess the prognostic value of a bowel stenosis documented at the time of initial diagnosis for the occurrence of perforating (abscess, fistula, free perforation) or obstructing complications requiring surgical intervention. Mean follow-up was 5.6 years. At time of diagnosis a bowel stenosis (S) was documented in 143 patients (37.2%). 130 patients underwent surgery, 62 (48%) for obstruction, 18 (14%) for a perforating complication, 12 (9%) for both obstructing and perforating complication and 38 (29%) for intractable disease. The cumulative rates of surgery were calculated using lifetable analysis. The presence of a stenosis at the time of initial diagnosis was a risk factor for the likelihood of surgery overall [65% (S) vs. 40% (no S) after 10 years; P>0.001] and of surgery for obstruction [70% (S) vs. 34% (no S); P>0.001] but did not increase the likelihood of a perforating complication [24% (S) vs. 29% (no S); n.s.]. A perforating complication requiring surgery may therefore not be predicted by the mere diagnosis of a stenosis. Prophylactic surgery of stenotic lesions in patients with Crohn's disease to prevent the development of a perforating complication therefore is not recommended.

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Résumé Les dossiers de 384 malades atteints de maladie de Crohn ont été revus pour évaluer la valeur pronostic d'une sténose intestinale au moment du diagnostic initial pour la survenue d'une complication perforative (abcès, fistule, perforation libre) ou obstructive nécessitant une intervention chirurgicale. Le suivi moyen était de 5,6 ans. Au temps du diagnostic une sténose intestinale (S) était relevée chez 143 patients (37,2%). 130 patients ont subi une chirurgie, 62 (48%) pour obstruction, 18 (14%) pour une complication perforative, 12 (9%) pour une complication à la fois obstructive et perforative et 38 (20%) pour une maladie résistante au traitement. Les taux cumulatifs de chirurgie furent calculés en utilisant une analyse de survie. La présence d'une sténose au moment du diagnostic initial était un facteur de risque avec de probabilité de chirurgie au total de 65% (S) vs. 40% (no S) après 10 ans (P>0.001) et de chirurgie pour obstruction de 70% (S) vs. 34% (no S) (P>0.001) mais n'augmentait pas la probabilité d'une complication perforative (24% S vs. 29% no S; n.s.). Une complication perforative nécessitant la chirurgie peut toutefois ne pas être prévue par le simple diagnostic d'une sténose. La chirurgie prophylactique des lésions sténotiques chez les patients avec une maladie de Crohn pour prévenir le développement d'une complication perforative pour le simple diagnostic de sténose. La chirurgie prophylactique des lésions sténotiques chez les patients avec une maladie de Crohn pour prévenir le developpement d'une complication perforative n'est cependant pas recommandée.

     

The granuloma in Crohn's disease.

The number of granulomas in sections of bowel involved by Crohn's disease has been counted and related to length of previous history, treatment with steroids, site of involvement, and the subsequent course of the disease. It was found that a high content of granulomas predicted a good prognosis in the large bowel and anus, but was of no prognostic significance in the small bowel. A large regional variation in granuloma counts was observed from an average of 1 per section in the small bowel to 6 in the colon, 18 in the rectum, and 36 in the anus. Those patients with a long clinical history showed a low granuloma content. The findings are consistent with the view that the granuloma represents an adaptive mechanism for the removal or localisation of the causative agent of Crohn's disease.     

Rectal strictures in Crohn's disease and coexisting perirectal complications

BACKGROUND: The significance of the presence of rectal strictures in Crohn's disease has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to examine patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease associated with rectal strictures and to describe co-existing manifestations of perianal disease (abscesses, fistulae, or skin tags) and strictures located elsewhere in the colon or small intestine. METHODS: A cohort of 70 Crohn's disease patients with rectal strictures were compared with controls without rectal strictures matched for age, gender, and duration of disease. Analysis was done to better elucidate the association of rectal strictures with location of disease and other perirectal complications. RESULTS: The average age of both groups of our Crohn's disease patients was 54 years and the average duration of disease since diagnosis was 315 months for the patients and 314 months for the controls. 54% of patients were women and 46% were men. 61.4% of the study population had Crohn's colitis, whereas the remaining 38.6% of patients had ileo-colonic involvement. In contrast, the majority of the control population had ileo-colonic involvement (74.3%). Perirectal fistulae were present in 61% of patients with rectal strictures versus 34.3% of controls (p value = 0.001). Perirectal abscesses were present in 50% of rectal stricture patients vs. 17.1% of controls (p value < 0.001). Anal skin tags were observed in 23% of study patients vs. 15.7% of controls (p value = 0.275). 37% of patients with rectal strictures also had strictures more proximal in the colon as compared to 54% of controls (p value = 0.07). Only 10% of the study population had small bowel strictures vs. 55.7% of the controls (p value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study of Crohn's disease patients suggests that the majority of patients with rectal strictures have colonic involvement and increased perianal fistulae and abscesses. Only a minority of patients was observed to have ileal or ileo-colonic disease, perianal skin tags, or strictures elsewhere. A future study will examine whether the severity of stricturing disease can tell us anything about the disease distribution, prognosis, or response to treatment. Patients with rectal strictures and associated perirectal disease may represent a specific phenotypic presentation of Crohn's disease that warrants further study and correlation with serological markers so as to better aid this subgroup of patients.     

Value of computed tomography in the detection of complications of Crohn's disease

Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans were performed on 17 patients with suspected complications of Crohn's disease. CT was superior to conventional barium studies and colonoscopy in demonstrating mural, serosal, and mesenteric pathology such as bowel wall thickening (100%), abscess (59%) and phlegmon (6%) formation, and fibrofatty proliferation of the mesentery (41%). While not advocated as the primary means of evaluating Crohn's disease, CT can provide information vital to the management of complications of this disease.     

Transabdominal bowel sonography for the detection of intestinal complications in Crohn's disease

Background—The course ofCrohn's disease is characterised by the occurrence of intestinalcomplications such as strictures, intra-abdominal fistulas, orabscesses. Standard diagnostic procedures may fail to show thesecomplications, in particular fistulas.
Aims—To test the value oftransabdominal bowel sonography (TABS) for the detection of intestinalcomplications in Crohn's disease.
Methods—TABS was prospectivelyperformed in 213 patients with Crohn's disease in a university basedinflammatory bowel disease referral centre. Thirty three underwentresective bowel surgery and were included in this study. The accuracyof TABS to detect strictures, intra-abdominal fistulas, or abscesseswas compared with surgical and pathological findings.
Results—TABS was able to identifystrictures in 22/22 patients and to exclude it in 10/11 patients (100%sensitivity, 91% specificity). Fistulas were correctly identified in20/23 patients and excluded in 9/10 patients (87% sensitivity, 90%specificity). Intra-abdominal abscesses were correctly detected in 9/9patients and excluded in 22/24 patients (100% sensitivity, 92% specificity).
Conclusions—In experienced handsTABS is an accurate method for the detection of intestinalcomplications in Crohn's disease. TABS is thus recommended as aprimary investigative method for evaluation of severe Crohn's disease.

Keywords:Crohn's disease complications; fistula; stricture; abscess; bowel sonography

     

The role of antibiotics in Crohn's disease.

Antibiotics have been commonly used in Crohn's disease despite a lack of controlled data to support their use. Review of the histology and histopathology favor an infectious origin and increased infectious complications are witnessed in Crohn's patients. Enhanced permeability may play a role in providing access of enteric organisms or their cell wall derivatives to the intestinal mucosa. Through an understanding of the pathophysiology and the important role of the fecal stream along with a critical review of the literature, we may gain a better understanding of the role of antibiotics in Crohn's disease.