A case of sarcoidosis of the small intestine which was difficult to be differentiated from crohn's disease

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease that commonly affects the lung and lymphnodes. Gastrointestinal involvement, especially involvement of small intestine and colon, is very rare in this disease. We report a case of sarcoidosis with involvement of the terminal ileum. The colonoscopic examination revealed polyposis-like changes and ulceration in the terminal ileum. Histologocal examination showned non-caseating granulomas. The same changes were found also in the lung and lingual tonsils. Previous reports of intestinal sarcoidosis are reviewed and a further discussion of the relationship of this disease to Crohn's disease is described. © 1993, Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. All rights reserved.