Radiology, Vol 158, 589-596, Copyright © 1986 by Radiological Society of North America
Aphthoid ulcers in Crohn disease: radiographic course and relationship to bowel appearance
XY Ni and HI Goldberg
The relationship of aphthoid ulcers to the appearance of the colon in 14
patients with Crohn disease was determined by retrospective evaluation of
radiographs obtained over several years during which various therapeutic
regimens had been undertaken. The numbers and locations of the ulcers on
the first radiographic examination were recorded and compared with the
numbers and sizes on each subsequent examination. The appearance of the
bowel area containing aphthoid ulcers was evaluated in comparison with
ulcer-free areas. No attempt was made to correlate the course of ulceration
with the therapeutic regimen. Results indicate that the fate of aphthoid
ulcers is unpredictable. No significant correlation was found between
changes in the appearance of the bowel and the numbers and locations of
ulcers. Aphthoid ulcers can remain in the colon for years despite worsening
or lessening of disease in other bowel segments. In some instances, the
bowel segment containing ulcers became frankly diseased; in others, the
ulcers disappeared and surrounding tissue appeared normal.
