The 5 Goals of Colonoscopy in Ulcerative Colitis
The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is based on a combination of clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings \
There are actually very few clinical manifestations of ulcerative colitis that could be noted on a physical examination. The exceptions are those patients with very severe disease, abdominal tenderness, or who appear anemic.
Laboratory studies are also nonspecific but should be performed to determine the blood count and to rule out infections.
Endoscopy, or colonoscopy, is the hallmark for the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and separating it from other inflammatory disorders of the colon. This is due to the fact that performing colonoscopy provides the ability to take biopsies and the histologic confirmation of ulcerative colitis.