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Updated: Oct 25, 2025
Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
ECCO Topical Review on Clinicopathological Spectrum and Differential Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Roger Feakins1, Joana Torres2, Paula Borralho-Nunes3
1Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, London, and University College London, UK.
Introduction:
Many diseases can imitate inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] clinically and pathologically. This review outlines the differential diagnosis of IBD and discusses morphological pointers and ancillary techniques that assist with the distinction between IBD and its mimics.
Methods:
European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] Topical Reviews are the result of an expert consensus. For this review, ECCO announced an open call to its members and formed three working groups [WGs] to study clinical aspects, pathological considerations, and the value of ancillary techniques. All WGs performed a systematic literature search.
Results:
Each WG produced a draft text and drew up provisional Current Practice Position [CPP] statements that highlighted the most important conclusions. Discussions and a preliminary voting round took place, with subsequent revision of CPP statements and text and a further meeting to agree on final statements.
Conclusions:
Clinicians and pathologists encounter a wide variety of mimics of IBD, including infection, drug-induced disease, vascular disorders, diverticular disease, diversion proctocolitis, radiation damage, and immune disorders. Reliable distinction requires a multidisciplinary approach.
