Difference 3: Endoscopic Appearance – The Bowel’s Tale
The third difference lies in what a doctor observes during an endoscopy, a procedure where a camera is inserted into the gastrointestinal tract to visualize the lining of the bowel. The endoscopic appearance of UC and CD differs significantly and can often provide a clue to the diagnosis.
In UC, the endoscopic appearance is characterized by continuous inflammation that starts from the rectum and extends upward. The mucosa or lining of the bowel appears red and granular, with loss of its usual vascular pattern. There may be superficial ulcers and bleeding spots, reflecting the superficial nature of the disease.
On the other hand, the endoscopic appearance of CD is quite distinct. Due to its patchy or “skip” distribution, one can see segments of diseased bowel interspersed with healthy segments. This can give the bowel a “cobblestone” appearance, which is characteristic of CD. (3)
