Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis01:27

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

1.5K
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
1.5K
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

64
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The...
64
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

1.6K
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
1.6K
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

79
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows...
79
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

57
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal...
57
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

906
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
906

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Development and External Validation of an Endoscopic and Histologic Pouchitis Assessment Tool: The Atlantic Pouchitis Index.

Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association·2025
Same author

Molecular characteristics of early-onset pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Molecular oncology·2023
Same author

Buds, clusters, and transitions in 21st century colorectal carcinoma: revolution or reinvention?<sup>†</sup>.

The Journal of pathology·2023
Same author

Recommendations for standardizing biopsy acquisition and histological assessment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated colitis.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer·2022
Same author

Dataset for the reporting of carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas: recommendations from the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR).

Histopathology·2021
Same author

An expert consensus to standardise the assessment of histological disease activity in Crohn's disease clinical trials.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
08:40

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis

Published on: September 22, 2019

6.7K

Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease? Pitfalls and problems.

Roger M Feakins1

  • 1Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.

Histopathology
|November 26, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Accurately classifying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease from initial biopsies is challenging. This review details histological features and pitfalls to improve diagnostic accuracy for better patient management.

Keywords:
Crohn's diseaseappendixbiopsycolonileuminflammatory bowel diseasespathologyulcerative colitis

More Related Videos

Evaluating Therapeutic Interventions in the SHIP-deficient Mouse Model of Crohn Disease-like Ileitis and Fibrosis
09:44

Evaluating Therapeutic Interventions in the SHIP-deficient Mouse Model of Crohn Disease-like Ileitis and Fibrosis

Published on: October 14, 2025

633
A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease
05:08

A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease

Published on: March 1, 2022

3.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
08:40

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis

Published on: September 22, 2019

6.7K
Evaluating Therapeutic Interventions in the SHIP-deficient Mouse Model of Crohn Disease-like Ileitis and Fibrosis
09:44

Evaluating Therapeutic Interventions in the SHIP-deficient Mouse Model of Crohn Disease-like Ileitis and Fibrosis

Published on: October 14, 2025

633
A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease
05:08

A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease

Published on: March 1, 2022

3.7K

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Histopathology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Initial diagnosis of chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) via colorectal biopsies presents interpretation challenges.
  • Accurate subclassification of IBD into ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease is crucial for effective management.
  • Histological features in early-stage biopsies, unaffected by treatment, are emphasized for diagnostic clarity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review discriminant histological features for differentiating UC from Crohn's disease in initial colorectal biopsies.
  • To discuss common pitfalls and challenges in distinguishing between UC and Crohn's disease based on biopsy interpretation.
  • To enhance pathologist confidence and accuracy in IBD subclassification for optimal patient care.

Main Methods:

  • Review of published evidence on histological features distinguishing UC and Crohn's disease.
  • Analysis of challenges including mimics, inadequate clinical data, and unreliable microscopic findings.
  • Consideration of factors like disease duration, age, and specimen type (biopsy vs. resection).

Main Results:

  • Identified key histological features that discriminate between UC and Crohn's disease in initial biopsies.
  • Highlighted numerous potential pitfalls, such as atypical features, discontinuity in UC, and granulomas.
  • Emphasized the importance of clinical context alongside histological assessment.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate subclassification of IBD relies on careful interpretation of histological features in initial biopsies.
  • Awareness and avoidance of diagnostic pitfalls are essential for confident IBD subclassification.
  • Precise diagnosis of UC versus Crohn's disease directly impacts medical and surgical treatment strategies.