title: Microscopic colitis.
abstract: Endoscopy nurses and associates occasionally find themselves assisting with colonoscopies in which biopsy specimens are obtained from normal-appearing mucosa to rule out microscopic colitis. A review of the literature was undertaken to learn more about this uncommon but troublesome cause of chronic diarrhea in patients. The few studies completed have been small and have yielded some conflicting and controversial data regarding many aspects of the two forms of microscopic colitis. Some findings, however, have been consistent and may help to provide a better understanding of this challenging syndrome for gastroenterology nurses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trolli
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003092:Colitis / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D005762:Gastroenterology; D006801:Humans; D013041:Specialties, Nursing