Purpose:

The main objective of this study is to determine endomicroscopic features of Crohn´s disease.

Background:

Crohn´s disease is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from anus to mouth, causing a wide variety of symptoms. Diagnosis is based on several histologic features including transmural pattern of inflammation, crypt abscesses and granulomas. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is rapidly emerging as a valuable tool for gastrointestinal endoscopic imaging, enabling the endoscopist to obtain an "optical biopsy" of the gastrointestinal mucosa during the endoscopic procedure.

Scope:

In patients with Crohn´s disease.

Methods:

Patients underwent colonoscopy for the evaluation of Crohn´s disease. During the endoscopic procedure CLE will be performed.

Procedure:

The patient underwent colonoscopy. During the procedure the patient will receive intravenous fluorescein or topical mucosal staining with acriflavin or cresyl violet, followed by in-vivo CLE of the tissue. Confocal images are digitally saved and analyzed afterwards.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent
• Age 18-85 years
• Ability of subjects to understand character and individual consequences of clinical trial
• Subjects undergoing colonoscopy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to provide written informed consent
• Severe Coagulopathy (Prothrombin time < 50% of control, Partial thromboplastin time > 50 s)
• Impaired renal function (Creatinine > 1.2 mg/dl)
• Pregnancy or breast feeding
• Active gastrointestinal bleeding
• Known allergy to fluorescein, acriflavin or cresyl violet
• Residing in institutions (e.g. prison)

Patients with Crohn´s disease.