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The histopathological mimics of inflammatory bowel disease: a critical appraisal

Techniques in Coloproctology volume 19, pages 717–727 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

The pathological diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often difficult because biopsy material may not contain pathognomonic features, making distinction between Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other forms of colitides a truly challenging exercise. The problem is further complicated as several diseases frequently mimic the histological changes seen in IBD. Successful diagnosis is reliant on careful clinicopathological correlation and recognising potential pitfalls. This is best achieved in a multidisciplinary team setting when the full clinical history, endoscopic findings, radiology and relevant serology and microbiology are available. In this review, we present an up-to-date evaluation of the histopathological mimics of IBD.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Cellular Pathology, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK

    I. Woodman

  2. Department of Cellular Pathology, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Maidstone, UK

    J. B. Schofield

  3. Department of Pathology, University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester, UK

    N. Haboubi

Authors
  1. I. Woodman
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  2. J. B. Schofield
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  3. N. Haboubi
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Correspondence to I. Woodman.

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Woodman, I., Schofield, J.B. & Haboubi, N. The histopathological mimics of inflammatory bowel disease: a critical appraisal. Tech Coloproctol 19, 717–727 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-015-1372-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-015-1372-8

Keywords

  • IBD
  • Mimics of IBD
  • Indeterminate colitis
  • Non-classical
  • Iatrogenic colitis
  • SCAD