Crohn's disease of the ileal pouch: reality, diagnosis, and management

Abstract

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has become the surgical treatment of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis who require surgery. A subset of patients with ileal pouches may develop Crohn's disease or a Crohn's disease-like condition of the pouch after the surgery. Diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management can be challenging. A combined assessment of endoscopy, histology, radiography, and examination under anesthesia is often necessary for an accurate diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach by a medical and surgical team is advocated. It is advisable to inform ulcerative colitis patients before the surgery of the potential risk for Crohn's disease along with other inflammatory and noninflammatory complications.