Endoscopy for the Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the differentiation between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can be challenging. Colonoscopy with ileoscopy is the useful diagnostic test for patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, enteroscopy, and capsule endoscopy all have complementary roles to ileocolonoscopy. Endoscopy not only allows for the visualization of inflammation due to IBD but also for histological analysis, both of which can aid the in proper diagnosis and to exclude other causes of enteritis and colitis. This chapter will describe the use of endoscopy for the diagnosis of IBD.