Recent advances in pathobiology and histopathological diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease

In order to make a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) which belongs to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it is important to evaluate pathologic material in conjunction with clinical, laboratory and endoscopic findings. There are several exceptions to the classical principles of IBD that may lead to diagnostic confusion. UC and CD have a variety of characteristic but also non-specific pathologic features. There are several exceptions to the classical principles of IBD that may lead to diagnostic confusion. This short review summarizes current diagnostic problems and advances with regard to histopathological findings of inflammation and dysplasia in biopsy specimens from UC and CD patients.