Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at UC San Diego Health diagnoses and treats people with IBD from around the world.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of the small intestine and colon.

The two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) share similar symptoms, but are two different conditions.

Our leadership in IBD medical research means that you have access to clinical trials for the newest therapies and advanced surgical techniques for the treatment of this challenging condition.

Why Choose Us?

UC San Diego Health has made landmark achievements in medical therapy and minimally invasive surgical techniques to achieve remission of symptoms in people with IBD.

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center unites the expertise of gastroenterologists, radiologists, nutritional health experts, surgeons and researchers to deliver comprehensive, innovative care.

About IBD

Research has not determined the causes of IBD, but has identified that genes, the immune system and the environment all play a role in the inflammation in IBD.

Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and most frequently impacts the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. The intestine can become inflamed in patches, and inflammation and ulcers can occur in deep layers of the intestine.

In ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, the surface layer of tissue in the large intestine is affected. The inflammation in UC tends to be uniform, in that the entire lining in the affected portion of the intestine is inflamed.

Research has not determined the causes of IBD, but has identified that genes, the immune system and the environment all play a role in the inflammation in IBD.

Testing for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

There is no single test to determine inflammatory bowel disease. We will complete a medical history and typically perform a series of tests to diagnose your condition. These tests include:

CBC (complete blood count) to detect infection, anemia or other abnormalities
Electrolyte panel to measure potassium and other minerals that may be depleted by IBD-associated diarrhea
Stool studies to detect bacterial infections
Screening for liver and bile duct abnormalities sometimes seen in IBD patients

If we suspect you have IBD, you will most likely undergo more extensive tests, such as the following:

Colonoscopy and sometimes upper endoscopy is used to visually examine your gastrointestinal tract and can also be used to obtain tissue for a biopsy. Read more about endoscopy.
Radiologic tests can include conventional X-rays, contrast X-rays (using an agent such as barium) or CT scans (often using a new technique called CT enterography)
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can also be used for the assessment of small bowel disease fistulas, and abscesses.

Assessment of the small bowel is done with a new technique called MR enterography.

MR enterography is a special exam that allows imaging of the small bowel for areas of inflammation, obstruction, fistulas, sinus tracts and strictures without exposing patients to radiation.
MR of the rectum allows excellent assessment of fistulas, including evaluation of healing.
For patients who need an evaluation of both their small bowel and rectum, both MR enterography and rectal MR can be performed during the same appointment.
The team of expert technologists and faculty in MR imaging of the small bowel and rectum is led by Dr. Cynthia Santillan.

If IBD is diagnosed, we will work closely with you to find a treatment plan that achieves remission of your symptoms.

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