Diagnosing IBD: Colonoscopy
Endoscopy is the best method for diagnosing IBD. Among endoscopic procedures, colonoscopy is most effective since it can examine the entire colon as well as the terminal ileum and is able, therefore, to diagnose most cases of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Colonoscopy is able to recognize more subtle signs of inflammation than barium studies, and also provides the opportunity to biopsy the lining of the colon and ileum. Biopsies can be useful in differentiating between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and also differentiating these diseases from other less common inflammatory diseases of the bowel. When Crohn's disease affects the small bowel, but not the terminal ileum, the colonoscope may not be able to reach the involved area of the small intestine. In this situation, enteroscopy, a type of endoscopy, or a swallowed video capsule, both of which examine the small bowel, can be used.