Endoscopy 2002; 34(8): 664-666
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33239
Case Report
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Proctitis with Caecitis: An Atypical Presentation of Ulcerative Colitis

M.  D.  Hill1 , G.  Davies1 , A.  S.  McIntyre1 , D.  A.  Gorard1
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Wycombe Hospital, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 14 August 2001

Accepted after Revision 12 March 2002

Publication Date:
12 August 2002 (online)

Ulcerative colitis is characterized as an inflammatory process of the distal colonic mucosa, which may extend proximally. Its proximal extension is classically as a continuous lesion. We describe six patients presenting with typical ulcerative proctiits, who were also found to have an inflammatory area in the caecum, while the remaining colon was macroscopically and histologically normal. With no features to support a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, we believe these cases challenge the classic teaching that ulcerative colitis is a continuous disease. Performing total colonoscopy in patients who seem to have solely distal colitis will permit recognition of this distribution of inflammation.

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D. A. Gorard, M.D.

Wycombe Hospital

Queen Alexandra Road · High Wycombe · Bucks HP11 2TT · United Kingdom

Fax: + 44-1494-425597

Email: david.gorard@sbucks.nhs.uk