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.

Grading colitis

"A grading scheme":†

Histologic finding	Grade
Mild	cryptitis
Moderate	crypt abscesses
Severe	erosions

† Adapted from Kirsch.

Images

• 

  Cryptitis. (WC)

• 

  Crypt abscess. (WC)

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Rectum, Biopsy:
     - Mild active proctitis with minimal architectural changes.
     - NEGATIVE for dysplasia.

Comment:
The biopsy is NEGATIVE for granulomas. The inflammation is nonspecific; it could be due to infection, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia, or therapy/drugs.  Clinical correlation is required.

See also

• Colon.
• Cryptitis.