Endoscopic studies on the minute structures of colonic mucosa in the follow-up observation of ulcerative colitis.

Thirty cases of ulcerative colitis were examined endoscopically by means of magnifying colonoscope with dye spraying method (the combined method), and their minute mucosal structures were classified into four categories endoscopically, which correlated well with the histological findings. By this procedure, it was easy to detect the subsidence of inflammation of the mucosa in the quiescent phase or to reveal the active inflammatory involvement of the bowel. Moreover, inspecting the minute changes of the colonic mucosa detected by the combined method, remission was more correctly decided and rigid control is contributing to the decrease in the recent rate of recurrence of ulcerative colitis.