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Proctitis with caecitis: an atypical presentation of ulcerative colitis
M D Hill1, G Davies, A S McIntyre
1Department of Gastroenterology, Wycombe Hospital, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom.
Endoscopy
|August 13, 2002
Summary
Ulcerative colitis can present with discontinuous inflammation, challenging classic teaching. Total colonoscopy helps identify this rare pattern in ulcerative colitis patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Colorectal Surgery
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is typically characterized by continuous distal colonic inflammation.
- Proximal extension of UC is classically described as a continuous lesion.
Observation:
- Six patients with ulcerative proctitis also had isolated cecal inflammation.
- The intervening colon was macroscopically and histologically normal in these patients.
- No features suggested Crohn's disease.
Findings:
- These cases challenge the traditional understanding of ulcerative colitis as a continuously extending disease.
- A distinct pattern of discontinuous inflammation in UC was observed.
Implications:
- Performing total colonoscopy is crucial for diagnosing this UC distribution.
- This finding may alter diagnostic and treatment strategies for ulcerative colitis.