Endoscpic and Histological Studies of 7 cases of Melanosis coli

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Melanosis coli is a disease without specific symptom and cannot be diagnosed by barium enema that is why melanosis coli is not frequently diagnosed prior to fibercolonoscopy. As melanosis coli is not a surgical disease we did not know the distribution and the grade of pigmention accurately. However, with the fibercolonoscope. we are able to study the condition in more detail. In our Institute, we have experienced 7 cases of melanosis coli among 828 cases (0.84%) of endoscopic examination of the colon from Dec. 1968 to Sept. 1971. There are 4 males and 3 females, and the ages ranges from 42 to 85 years old. Endoscopically the most characteristic finding in our series is the localization of pigmentation at the recto-sigmoid area. Histochmical studies of biopsied specimen in our cases, the pigmentation shows it to be melanin1ike substance. All except one cases have history of prolonged use of laxatives of anthracene group from 3 months to 30 years. Of our 7 cases, colon cancer was found in 2 cases and colon polyp or polyps was found in 5 cases.