Microscopic colitis

Microscopic colitis
Micrograph of collagenous colitis, a type of microscopic colitis. H&E stain.
SpecialtyGastroenterology
SymptomsPersistent diarrhea
TypesLymphocytic colitis, collagenous colitis
Diagnostic methodEndoscopic biopsy of colonic mucosa
Differential diagnosisBile acid diarrhea, celiac disease, lactose malabsorption, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, infectious colitis[1][2]
MedicationLoperamide, Bismuth subsalicylate, Budesonide
Frequency103 cases per 100,000 persons[2]

Microscopic colitis refers to two related medical conditions which cause diarrhea: collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis.[2][3] Both conditions are characterized by the presence of chronic non-bloody watery diarrhea, normal appearances on colonoscopy and characteristic histopathology findings of inflammatory cells.[1]

  1. ^ a b Park, Tina; Cave, David; Marshall, Christopher (2015-08-07). "Microscopic colitis: A review of etiology, treatment and refractory disease". World Journal of Gastroenterology. 21 (29): 8804–8810. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8804. ISSN 1007-9327. PMC 4528022. PMID 26269669.
  2. ^ a b c Münch A, Aust D, Bohr J, Bonderup O, Fernández Bañares F, Hjortswang H, et al. (2012). "Microscopic colitis: Current status, present and future challenges: statements of the European Microscopic Colitis Group". J Crohns Colitis. 6 (9): 932–45. doi:10.1016/j.crohns.2012.05.014. PMID 22704658.
  3. ^ Rasmussen MA, Munck LK (2012). "Systematic review: are lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis two subtypes of the same disease - microscopic colitis?". Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 36 (2): 79–90. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2012.05166.x. PMID 22670660.