CROHNS-DISEASE WITH PULMONARY INVOLVEMENT IN A 3-YEAR-OLD BOY

Extra-intestinal or metastatic Crohn's disease is being recognised inc reasingly, most commonly in the skin and genitourinary system. Only ve ry rarely has it been reported in the lung. A 3 year old boy who prese nted with swollen gums and a persistent abnormality on his chest x ray is reported. Lung biopsy specimens showed multiple non-caseating epit helioid granulomas. Subsequent investigation showed the presence of in testinal Crohn's disease. The evidence for abnormal lung function in C rohn's disease and the possible pathogenesis of metastatic pulmonary C rohn's disease are discussed.