Colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease

Colonoscopy has assumed a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Visual inspection of the colon and in certain cases, the terminal ileum, is a crucial component of the workup of a patient with suspected IBD. The colonoscopic exam with accompanying biopsy specimens can often establish the diagnosis, determine the extent and severity of IBD, and establish the presence of dysplasia during surveillance to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. New techniques such as chromoendoscopy have already enhanced our ability to detect dysplasia; other improvements in standard colonoscopy are in development.