Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025
Cryosectioning Method for Microdissection of Murine Colonic Mucosa
Published on: July 12, 2015
Is the Routine Histopathologic Diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis Based on Cross-cut Sections or on Well-oriented
Carlos Rubio1, Corinna Lang-Schwarz2, Michael Vieth2
1Department of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Background/Aim:
For many years, it was empirically estimated that the majority of the routine colon biopsies in Swedish patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), exhibited cross-cut crypts. The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of cross-cut crypts (CCC) and well-oriented crypts in routine colon biopsies in German patients with UC.
Patients And Methods:
In total, 447 colon biopsies: 376 with UC and 71 controls were investigated.
Results:
Out of 376 colon biopsies with UC, 73% exhibited ≥60% CCC. Out of the 237 biopsies showing ≥80% CCC, as many as 71% exhibited 100% CCC in individual biopsies. Similar percentages were found in control biopsies.
Conclusion:
The majority of the routine colon biopsies with UC, as well as control biopsies in German patients displayed CCC. Thus, an unnoticed, consequent, and systematic cutting technical hitch was introduced during the laboratory processing of colon biopsies. The reason(s) behind the similar histologic processing mode of colon biopsies at the two geographically disparate laboratories (Sweden and Germany) remains elusive. The cross-cutting mode influenced the narrative of biopsies in UC, inasmuch as some histological parameters listed among well-oriented colon sections were not present in sections displaying CCC.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
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...
01:27Histology of the Small Intestine
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
01:26Histology of the Large Intestine
The innermost mucosa layer comprises simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. This layer is primarily populated with absorptive cells, tasked with water absorption, and goblet cells, responsible for secreting mucus to...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:03Fixation and Sectioning
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...