Value of colon mucosal biopsy in the patients with chronic diarrhea and normal appearing colonoscopy

Abstract EN

Patients who are suffering from chronic diarrhea frequently undergo endoscopic evaluation.

There are controversial reports regarding to the role of taking biopsy from the patients with chronic diarrhea and normal colonoscopy.

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of clinically important histologic abnormalities in such patients.

We selected 150 cases suffering from chronic diarrhea (with more than four weeks of duration).

At least five biopsies from different parts of colorectal mucosa were taken.

One pathologist reviewed each biopsy specimen.

Finally clinically significant abnormalities were seen in 28 patients (18.6%) composed of 14 collage nous, 11 lymphocytic and 2 eosinophilic colitis and 1 case of melanosis coli.

Histologic lesions do exist in nearly one fifth of the patients with chronic diarrhea and normal colonoscopy.

Since these disorders (lymphocytic, collage nous and eosinophilic colitis) show good response to anti-inflammatory drugs, we suggest performing routine mucosal biopsies in such patients