STRICTURES OF THE COLON IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

We describe the radiological and histopathological findings in five ch ildren with cystic fibrosis who presented recently to our hospital. Ea ch child underwent surgery after failing to respond to medical managem ent for suspected distal intestinal obstruction syndrome. Four patient s had preoperative ultrasound and contrast enema examinations. Walt th ickening and dilatation of the ascending colon was seen on ultrasound and contrast enema revealed a stricture of the ascending colon in all four. At surgery these findings were confirmed. All five patients had histopathological changes of post-ischaemic ulceration repair. One chi ld had symptoms of intestinal obstruction 5 months after right hemicol ectomy. Radiological investigation revealed a stricture in the descend ing colon which was resected. The histopathological changes were the s ame as before. Colonic strictures should be considered in cystic fibro sis patients who do not respond to medical management of distal intest inal obstruction syndrome.