Comparing IBDs
Visual comparison of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis — King Krone, the union workers, cancer crab, and the skipping kid.
Key Medical Facts
🦠 Diseases
Crohn Disease — Transmural Inflammation
Inflammation goes through entire bowel wall thickness, leading to complications like fistulas
The castle burning through-and-through, walls collapsing into river
Ulcerative Colitis — Mucosal Inflammation
Inflammation limited to mucosa and submucosa only, unlike Crohn's transmural disease
The factory burning from inside only, smoke coming out
Skip Lesions
Crohn disease pattern: patches of inflammation with normal bowel segments in between. Can show rectal sparing
The kid skipping rope — jumping over gaps
Creeping Fat
Crohn gross finding: mesenteric fat wrapping around the bowel surface
King K'rone's fat belly — he's not just fat, he's CREEPING fat
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
Classic UC association: chronic liver disease with bile duct inflammation and fibrosis
Union worker holding the white sack
Fistulas
Crohn complication: transmural inflammation breaks through creating abnormal connections
Castle walls collapsing into the river
Colorectal Cancer Risk
Both IBDs increase colorectal cancer risk, especially with pancolitis
The cancer crab lurking in the kingdom
Noncaseating Granulomas
Crohn microscopic finding: granulomas without central necrosis. NOT seen in UC
King K'rone's dotted cape — dots = granulomas
🔬 Diagnostics
Cobblestone Mucosa
Classic Crohn gross finding: interspersed ulcers and edema create a cobblestone appearance
The cobblestone path leading to the Crohn castle
Crypt Abscesses
UC microscopic finding: neutrophils accumulating in intestinal crypts
Union workers standing in muddy crypts
Lead Pipe Colon
UC imaging finding: loss of haustra gives a smooth 'lead pipe' appearance on imaging
Union worker holding a lead pipe
Downloadable Assets
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Achalasia
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Medication-Induced Esophagitis
Visual lesson on medication-induced esophagitis — NSAIDs, potassium, bisphosphonates, tetracyclines, and the stay-upright rule.