How are ulcers in IBD diagnosed and treated?
Intestinal ulcers can be diagnosed by directly viewing the lining of the intestines. Various procedures, utilizing viewing instruments called endoscopes, are available. Endoscopes are flexible, thin, tubular instruments that are inserted into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through either the mouth or rectum, depending on the procedure. Which procedure is done depends on the part of the GI tract that is being examined. Endoscopy can be done for either the upper or lower GI tracts. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth for upper endoscopy or through the rectum for lower endoscopy. The colon is examined either by sigmoidoscopy (using sigmoidoscopes) for the lower (sigmoid) part of the colon or by colonoscopy (using a colonoscope) for the entire colon. The upper GI tract is examined by a procedure called esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD). An upper GI endoscope is used for this procedure. EGD is useful in detecting Crohn’s disease ulcers in the esophagus, stomach, and the duodenum.
