ulcerative colitis

• acute
  • fine mucosal granularity
  • "double tracking" = longitudinal submucosal ulcers
  • "collar button" ulcers
  • "thumbprinting" = symmetric thickening of colonic folds
  • pseudopolyps = islands of edematous mucosa and granulation tissue

• subacute
  • inflammatory polyps (sessile)
  • coarse granular mucosa

• chronic
  • "lead pipe" colon = rigidity + symmetrical narrowing of lumen
  • "burnt-out colon" = distensible colon without haustral markings
  • filiform polyposis = postinflammatory polyps (10-20%)

complications:

• toxic megacolon
• colon Ca (1-16%)
• strictures (10%)

see:

• ulcerative colitis: extracolonic manifestations
• Crohn disease vs. ulcerative colitis

More info: ulcerative colitis [OMIM]

© 2002, C.E. Kahn, Jr.
2002-04-18