Results of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy in one hundred and fifty clinical cases

ABSTRACT

Sigmoidoscopy [rigid and fiber] was carried out on 150 patients, 97 male and 53 female. The ages ranged between seven and 75 years, the mean age being 36.4 with a standard deviation of +/- 14.5 years. The majority of cases presented with rectal bleeding [77] and bloody diarrhea [24]. The most significant findings were hemorrhoids [46.7%], polyps [11.3%], amebic colitis [11.3%], ulcerative colitis [6.7%], and rectosigmoid cancer [5.3%]. The results are tabulated according to findings and symptoms, and point out the importance of early lower gastrointestinal [GI] endoscopy even if Entamoeba histolytica is present in the stool. Although visualization of the rectum was discussed long ago by Hippocrates[1] rigid sigmoidoscopy was introduced as a new method of examination much later by Kelly in 1895[2], and became a routine procedure in 1950[3]. The fiberoptic sigmoidoscopes and colonoscopes were developed since then, making some surgical procedures possible under optical control. Moreover, through photographic documentation of clinical findings as well as histologic and cytologic examination of specimens, diagnosis became more accurate[4-6]. The aim of this study was to correlate clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings in cases with complaints related to the GI tract or to any intra-abdominal pathology