A. Ulcerative colitis – Explanation
This is most likely ulcerative colitis. Note that aphthous oral ulcers can actually be seen
in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease although commonly, literature would
classify aphthous oral ulcersto be a feature seen only in Crohn’s disease. It is also
noted that this patient has blood when he passes stools of which the history points
towards ulcerative colitis.
CROHN’S DISEASE VS ULCERATIVE COLITIS
It is important to know the differences of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease for PLAB
as it is very commonly asked.
These are some key differences that will help you with your exam:
| Crohn’s disease | Ulcerative colitis |
| Usually nonbloody
Abdominal mass palpable in right iliac Transmural, skip lesions, cobblestone |
Bloody diarrhoea more common
Abdominal pain in left lower quadrant Decreased globlet cells on histology |
