How do the endoscopic appearances of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis differ?

The distinction between the endoscopic appearances of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is crucial for diagnosis and management. In the case of Crohn's disease, the mucosal inflammation is often patchy, which means that the inflammatory areas are interspersed with normal, healthy tissue. This can result in areas of normal bowel being present between inflamed sections, making the disease appear discontinuous.

On the other hand, ulcerative colitis typically presents with continuous inflammation of the colonic mucosa, starting from the rectum and potentially extending proximally in a uniform manner. This continuity reflects a more homogeneous involvement of the bowel lining and is a key characteristic of the condition.

Understanding these differences allows healthcare providers to accurately identify and differentiate between these inflammatory bowel diseases during endoscopy, ultimately leading to better patient management and treatment decisions.