[Extra-intestinal manifestations]

Since inflammation is an unlimited process, it is not surprising to find that inflammatory bowel diseases have extra-intestinal manifestations involving the digestive system itself (hepatic or, more rarely, pancreatic manifestations) or peripheral organs and tissues (osteoarticular, cutaneous and ophthalmological manifestations). Some of these manifestations may be concomitant with intestinal symptoms or they may precede or succeed them. One may also observe manifestations of infectious, mechanical or metabolic origin (biliary stones, urinary stones) or of nutritional origin, notably in Crohn's disease which may be iatrogenic. A better knowledge of these non-intestinal pathologies can lead to an earlier diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and therefore to a more rational treatment.