Acquired Abnormalities Diverticular Disease Etiology Colonic diverticular disease has become increasingly prevalent in the United States and other economically developed countries. Its incidence varies with national origin, cultural background, and…
Microscopic Colitis General Comments Some patients with chronic idiopathic diarrhea have histologic evidence of colitis even though their colons appear normal by barium enema and by colonoscopy; such patients have…
Ischemic Colitis General Comments Acute ischemia results from an acute reduction in the blood flow resulting from an acute occlusive event or as a result of a decreased blood flow….
Neutropenic Enterocolitis (Typhlitis) Neutropenic enterocolitis, also known as typhlitis, agranulocytic colitis, neutropenic enteropathy, and ileocecal syndrome, traditionally affects children treated for leukemia and other conditions. It may complicate chemotherapy for…
Phlegmonous Colitis Phlegmonous colitis is a very rare disorder that presents as submucosal cellulitis. It is rarer than its gastric counterpart, discussed in Chapter 4 (379). The bowel appears thickened…
Radiation Injury Radiation injury causes two types of gastrointestinal damage. The first is the radiation damage itself; the second is the long-term consequence of radiation (i.e., ischemic changes or cancer…
Changes Induced by Drugs and Toxins The etiology of drug-induced colitis varies significantly, as does the underlying pathophysiologic disturbance that results from the drug ingestion. Since drug-induced colitis is likely…
Polyposis and Hereditary Cancer Syndromes Polyposis Syndromes Introduction Polyps develop throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) system either as sporadic lesions or as part of a polyposis or hereditary cancer syndrome. The…
Interpretation of Colonic Biopsies The ability to endoscopically visualize the entire mucosal surface of the large bowel and to biopsy or cytologically sample normal- and abnormal-appearing areas allows clinicians to…
