GRANULOMATOUS APPENDICITIS - A CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY IN CRETE

Objective: The aims of our study were: to provide an estimate of the i ncidence of epithelioid granulomas of the appendix in Greece; to inves tigate the relationship between granulomatous appendicitis and Crohn's disease, and to estimate long-term prognosis. Methods: All pathology reports of patients who underwent appendicectomy from 1986-1991 in the prefecture of Heraklion were reviewed. In the cases with epithelioid granulomas of the appendix, the clinical, histological and laboratory features, as well as the clinical course, were recorded. Results: Four cases with epithelioid granulomas of the appendix, with no known caus e, were identified. Postoperative investigation of the alimentary trac t in two of the patients was negative. Follow-up of the four patients for 1.5-5 years (median 3.0 years) showed that all had been free of ga strointestinal symptoms since the operation. Conclusion: Patients with epithelioid granulomas of the appendix have an excellent long-term pr ognosis and in most cases, granulomatous appendicitis seems to be unre lated to Crohn's disease.