| Theme |
Intestinal inflammation in small bowel |
| Title |
Intestinal Behçet's disease and simple ulcers |
| Author |
Kaoru Yokoyama |
Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Kiyonori Kobayashi |
Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Intestinal Behçet's disease and simple ulcers are associated with large undermining ulcers in the ileocecum, but differential diagnosis is not feasible on the basis of endoscopic findings alone. Diagnosis is based on the presence or absence of lesions other than those arising in the intestine, but some cases are difficult to classify. With the recent increased use of capsule endoscopy and balloon endoscopy, small-bowel lesions other than those in the ileocecum have been reported in a considerable number of cases. An anti-TNF-alpha antibody preparation (adalimumab) has been approved for the treatment of intestinal Behçet's disease under National Health Insurance, and changes in the future clinical course and long-term course are expected to receive considerable attention. |