Chapter 5 - Strictures in Crohn’s disease

Abstract

Stricture formation constitutes a common phenotype of Crohn’s disease (CD), with main locations at the small and large bowel and anus. Strictures in CD can be classified based on the location, length, degree, number, concurrent inflammation, overlying epithelia, the presence of prestenotic luminal dilation, and complexity. With the wide use of biological agents, primary or disease-associated strictures have changed from ulcerated to nonulcerated ones. Endoscopic evaluation may help differentiate inflammatory versus fibrotic strictures. The distinction is important to guide medical, endoscopic, and surgical therapy.