Colitis

Micrograph showing cryptitis - the histologic finding of an acute colitis. H&E stain.

Colitis, plural colitides, is an inflammatory process that involves the colon.

Proctitis and cecitis redirect to this article, as the mucosa of the rectum and cecum are very similar to that of the colon.

Type of colitis

Infectious:

• Infectious colitis, not otherwise specified.
• C. difficle colitis (pseudomembranous colitis often used as a synonym).
• Cytomegalovirus colitis.

Idiopathic:

• Ulcerative colitis.
• Crohn's disease with involvement of the colon.
• Microscopic colitis.
  • Collagenous colitis.
  • Lymphocytic colitis.

Iatrogenic:

• Diversion colitis.
• Radiation colitis.

Ischemic:

• Ischemic colitis.

Miscellaneous:

• Eosinophilic colitis.
• Diverticular-associated colitis.

See also

• Colon.