Histological and histochemical changes in the colon mucosa after ureterosigmoidostomy or colonic conduit.

A study was made of 22 patients previously subjected to urinary diversion, 12 with ureterosigmoidostomy and 10 with colon conduit. The histological and histochemical examination of biopsies of intestinal mucosa near to and far from the ureteral orifices showed transformations with considerable inflammatory infiltration, variations in the composition of the acid mucins with a prevalence of sialomucins, lengthening and branching of the glandular crypts, and sometimes dysplasias of the epithelium. These structural modifications are typical of transitional mucosa. Transitional mucosa might reflect an aspecific reaction of the intestinal mucosa or alternatively it might signify a precancerous condition. Its presence in intestinal diversions suggests the advisability of careful follow-up in all patients subjected to this operation.