Colitis

Colitis, plural colitides, is an inflammatory process that involves the colon.

Micrograph showing cryptitis - the histologic finding of an acute colitis. H&E stain.

Proctitis and cecitis redirect to this article, as the mucosa of the rectum and cecum are very similar to that of the colon.

Type of colitis

Infectious:

• Infectious colitis, not otherwise specified.
• C. difficle colitis (pseudomembranous colitis often used as a synonym).
• Cytomegalovirus colitis.

Idiopathic:

• Ulcerative colitis.
• Crohn's disease with involvement of the colon.
• Microscopic colitis.
  • Collagenous colitis.
  • Lymphocytic colitis.

Iatrogenic:

• Diversion colitis.
• Radiation colitis.

Ischemic:

• Ischemic colitis.

Miscellaneous:

• Eosinophilic colitis.
• Diverticular-associated colitis.

See also

• Colon.