Diagnosing collagenous colitis: does it make a difference?

Collagenous colitis is part of the spectrum of disorders known as microscop ic colitis, which also include lymphocytic colitis and a mixed disorder wit h both a collagen band present and also intra-epithelial lymphocytes, Colla genous colitis appears to be caused by mucosal injury from toxins in the fa ecal stream. The collagen band is a result of the underlying inflammatory p rocess and not the cause of symptoms. The diagnosis is based on colonic muc osal pathology and a compatible clinical presentation, Treatment is empiric and ranges from no therapy, to anti-inflammatory or anti-secretory agents, to diverting ileostomy. . Collagenous colitis is in the spectrum of disorders known as microscopic colitis. . Collagenous colitis is probably caused by toxins in the faecal stream, . Treatment is empiric and is based on the severity of the symptoms.