Idiopathic ulceration and stricture of colon with unusual vascular changes

Abstract

A case of nonspecific constricture of the transverse colon with very unusual vascular changes is reported. The patient was a 56 year old Chinese male, who had active pulmonary tuberculosis, malabsorption with steatorrhea, subtotal villous atrophy, severe iron deficiency anemia, and marked nonspecific ulceration and stricture of the transverse colon. After initial improvement with antituberculous therapy, he eventually succumbed to purulent meningitis. The most striking histologic features were marked degeneration and fibrosis affecting the arteries of the stomach and intestines, especially in the region of the colonic stricture. There was no evidence of tuberculosis in the colon. Granulomatous lesions with foreign body giant cells were found in the liver. The exact etiology of these changes remains unknown.