rate of microscopic colitis in patients with chronic watery diarrhea and normal or near normal endoscopic appearance: a retrospective study with review of the literature

ABSTRACT

Background: Microscopic colitis [MC] which includes two distinct but probably related entities namely collagenous colitis [CC] and lymphocytic colitis [LC] is characterized by chronic watery/secretary diarrhea and normal/near normal endoscopic and radiological appearance of colon. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of MC in our patients who seek medical advice because of chronic watery diarrhea and found to have either normal colonic mucosa on endoscopy or show minimal non specific changes