ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses different aspects in establishing the diagnosis. A correct diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often represents a challenge for clinicians since the presenting symptoms of IBD are often unspecific. Main complain of patients with proctitis is usually passage of fresh blood, either separately from the stool or streaked on the surface of a normal stool. In extensive colitis, patients are more likely to have cramping abdominal pain, blood loss with anaemia and extraintestinal symptoms. Most patients with mild or even moderately severe disease will have an unremarkable physical examination. Toxic megacolon is the most severe complication of ulcerative colitis (UC) which is potentially fatal. Similar to physical examination, laboratory findings in UC reflect the severity and extent of disease. Radiological imaging techniques are complementary to endoscopic assessment in the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD). Transabdominal ultrasound is another useful diagnostic modality for CD patients which is non-invasive, available, low cost, well-tolerated and without radiation.
