Table 7.2-2. Differential diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease

Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis

Crohn disease

Bleeding

Common

Rare

Abdominal pain

Not severe

Common and can be severe

Palpable abdominal mass

Very rare

Fairly common

Fistulas

Very rare

Common

Involvement of the rectum

95%

50%

Perianal lesions

5%-18%

50%-80%

Postinflammatory polyps

13%-15%

Rare

Toxic megacolon

3%-4%

Rare

Intestinal perforation

2%-3%

Rare

Intestinal stricture

Rare

Common