Multiple Rectal Ulcers (75 of 110)

Macroscopic Description

The distribution, extent, and nature of macroscopic
changes in inflammatory bowel disease are frequently
important diagnostic features. The following guidelines
primarily relate to resections performed for Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis. The specimen nature (extent
of surgical resection) should be recorded. Care should be
taken to identify and document the distribution of serosal
fat wrapping, severe dilatation, mural thickening or
stricture formation, ulcers, perforation, pseudopolyps, and
mucosal cobblestoning. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's
disease are associated with an increased risk of colorectal
cancer, and specimens should be examined carefully for
any suspicious lesions.