Derwent said...
I have multiple ulcers in rectum extending to the distal sigmoid and the sigmoid colonis very oedematous with patchy erythematous mucosa anyone know what it means as no one came to tell me after the test just gave me the findings sheet
Sure, I can help translate for you.
The affected area was your rectum and the sigmoid colon that's just beyond it. If it's an UC then that would mean you have proctosigmoiditis, like I do (previously you said proctitis, but there is sigmoid colon involvement making it proctosigmoiditis). Ulcers were seen continuously (i.e., distal) in that area, ulcers are a sign of inflammation and characteristic of an Ulcerative Colitis (it's in the name lol). With an UC you would see these ulcers as small red dots, almost like pimples you'd see on your face. These ulcers each bleed microscopically. The surface of your large intestine (i.e., mucosa) appeared very red (i.e., erythematous) in color which is suggestive of irritation or inflammation and it was patchy (not uniform). When we get a sunburn then our skin turns very red (i.e., erythematous), and that's essentially what they saw during your colonoscopy. That red coloration can be from the colonoscopy prep itself and it can be from inflammation. Redness in a colonosopy is a very minor finding. The surface of your large intestine (i.e., mucosa) appeared to be swollen (i.e., oedematous) which is suggestive of inflammation.
The things that sound like UC are continuous (distal), ulcers, redness (erythematous), and swelling (oedematous). No one test can diagnose you with an UC, rather multiple tests consistent with an UC can. The biopsy report would be key to your diagnosis and will provide additional clues to whether what you have is consistent with an UC proctosigmoiditis. Notably, the biopsies MUST show permanent architectural changes to your cells, meaning this a chronic condition and not a onetime infection.
Make sure to get a copy of the biopsy report as well, as soon as it becomes available.
Do you have a followup consultation scheduled with your gasteroenterolgist? He/she should be able to explain what they saw and give you a final diagnosis. I'd say probable UC proctosigmoiditis, but biopsy reports would need to correlate this finding.