J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 88(12): 1695-1704, 1987

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Original article

THE ANALYSES OF INTESTINAL MICROCIRCULATION BY HISTOMETRICAL STUDIES OF ARTERIAL MEDIA IN CROHN'S DISEASE

On the assumption that the ulcerogenesis in Crohn's disease is closely linked with intestinal ischemia, we studied the pattern of vascular reaction of resected specimen using the technic of histometry.
The atrophy of media in peripheral arterioles, indicating the presence of ischemia was notable not only in Crohn's disease but also in other benign bowel diseases except for ulcerative colitis.
Eighteen cases of Crohn's disease could be divided into two groups. In 11 cases of type I group, the thickening of media, suggesting the appearance of vascular resistance, was shown in the distal mesenterial arteries. On the other hand, in seven of type II group, the atrophy of media was observed in the mesenterial arteries as well as arterioles, suggesting the vascular resistance exists in upper stream arteries. These changes were observed even in the disease-free areas.
Since the intimal thickening becomes apparent after the appearance of medial change, intimal change may be occurred secondarily but may be one of the factors which accellerate ischemia.
These results suggest that the ischemia plays an important role in ulcerogenesis, and microcirculatory disturbance is specific in Crohn's disease.

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