Colitis

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

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

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.

Alternate comment

The inflammation is nonspecific; it could be due to infection, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia, inflammation secondary to diverticular disease or therapy/drugs. Clinical correlation is required.

See also

• Colon.
• Cryptitis.