Crohn Disease aka: Regional Enteritis
Inflammation present
Primarily affects small intestine and/or large intestine (small more common)
Can involve all layers of GI wall (submucosal layer most affected)
Pathophysiology: granulomatous inflammatory response- forms granulomas in response to inflammation to keep it from spreading
inflammation 🡪 edema and granulomas in submucosa, surrounded by fissures/linear ulcers (“cobblestone” appearance)
“skip lesions” because cobblestone appearance is not widespread but only in areas surrounded by normal areas
possible fistulas

Assessment findings:
-Diarrhea due to inflammation and impairment of absorptive capabilities of GI wall
-Electrolyte imbalances, nutritional deficiency, colicky, spasmodic diarrhea pain in right lower quadrant
-Low grade fever due to inflammation, malaise
-Abscesses around the granulomas due to the bacteria in the area
-Fistula: abnormal connection/ path between 2 body parts that are not normally connected. Can occur between bowel and bladder; rectum connected to urethra, etc.

Recto-bladder neck fistula-example