Discontinuous changes in ulcerative colitis
| Circumstance | Feature | Comment | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| New or longstanding ulcerative colitis | Caecal ‘patch’ (EL1a RGA) | No disease in adjacent colon. Changes resemble those seen distally Patch may also involve ascending colon Consider the possibility of Crohn's disease | 39 41–45 |
| Rectal sparing (EL1a RGA) | Consider the possibility of Crohn's disease | 3 28 38–40 | |
| Appendiceal ‘ulcerative colitis’ (EL1a RGA) | Not uncommon Changes may resemble colorectal features Not seen in biopsies | ||
| Fulminant ulcerative colitis | Can be segmental (EL1a RGA) | Discontinuous between sites | 11 17 39 45–47 |
| Longstanding ulcerative colitis | Discontinuous or patchy distribution of inflammation and crypt abnormalities | Variability between and within sites Therapy may be partly or wholly responsible | 3 17 42 45 |