How is Crohns disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis of Crohn’s disease of the colon is similar to diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. The differences between the two are found by studying the nature and location of the specific inflammation. Colonic CD has larger, deeper, thicker ulcers than UC (which instead has an even “micro-carpet” of tiny ulcers on the surface lining of the inner mucosa). In CD, areas of ulceration are often separated by skip areas, a phenomenon not seen in UC. There is a marked contrast between the “cobblestone” appearance often seen with CD and the even “micro-carpet” seen with UC. Sometimes, “granulomas”, a microscopic indicator of CD may be seen on biopsy samples. A diagnosis of probable small bowel CD is frequently made by clinical observations of small bowel Crohn’s symptoms accompanied by the detection on physical examination of a palpable mass (which may be tender) in the right lower part of the abdomen. To confirm the diagnosis an upper GI barium x-ray with small bowel follow through is generally pe
