Ulcerative colitis (gross pathology)

Case contributed by Andrew Ryan
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Patient presents with refractory inflammatory bowel symptoms with diarrhea, pain and per rectum bleeding.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Male
pathology

Segment of colon showing; extensive congestion and hemorrhage, irregular ulceration with pseudopolyp formation, and only minimal wall thickening.

The macroscopic features favor ulcerative colitis; this is based on continuous ('diffuse') ulceration, pseudopolyps (they are not true polyps, rather they are islands of residual intact mucosa within an area of ulceration), the muscualris propria and serosa are unremarkable (c.f. Crohn disease).  

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