Endoscopy and Endomicroscopy for Assessment of Mucosal Healing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major forms of chronic intestinal disorders, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Diagnosis is based on several macroscopic and histologic features including patterns 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.

The main objective of this study is to determine endoscopic and endomicroscopic features of mucosal healing in patients with IBD.

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)
• Pregnancy or breast feeding
• Active gastrointestinal bleeding
• Residing in institutions (e.g. prison)
• Known allergy against fluorescein