Crohn's disease Flashcards
What is Crohn’s disease characterised by?
Transmural inflammation with granulomas
What does the thickened and fissured bowel lead to
Intestinal obstruction and fistulation
Who is crohns more common in
Caucasian
Children (more than in UC)
Why do symptoms vary in Crohn’s
It is a patchy disease with different regions affected
Signs and symptoms
Diarrhoea Abdominal pain Weight loss Malaise, N&V, Fever Lethargy Anorexia Malabsorption - anaemia and other vit deficiencies
What are skip lesions
segments of diseased bonel separated by normal tissue
Describe the ulcers which form in crohn’s and how do they progress
longitudinal ulcers
progress into deep fissures involving the full thickness of the wall
What do the deep fissures result in
Fibrosis causes thickened and oedematous wall and mesentery with narrowed lumen
Why is Crohn’s said to have a cobblestone appearance
On an x-ray it looks cobblestoned, as the longitudinal fissures can create crevices and raised sections across the oedematous transverse mucosal folds
What does the serosa look like
serosa is granular and appears dull grey
What happens to crypts
Cryptitis with crypt abscess and destruction
Where are collections of lymphocytes and plasma cells found
mainly in the mucosa and submucosa but affect all layers
what type of granulomas are found
non-caseating granulomas
What abnormality to the lymphatic system is found
Lymphangiectasia - dilation of lymph vessels and enlarged mesenteric LN’s
How are nerves affected in crohns
hypertrophy of mural nerves
