title: Colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: This article discusses the important role endoscopy plays in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease and how the procedure adds crucial information to the constellation of history, physical examination, radiographic findings, and laboratory values. Differentiation between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis has important ramifications for medical therapy, surgical options, and prognosis. This distinction can be accurately made in at least 85% of patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Road, North West, Suite M2122, Washington, DC 20007, USA. chutkanr@gunet.georgetown.edu
authors.forename: Robynne K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Chutkan
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scherl
authors.forename: Jerome D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Waye
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D003092:Colitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis