Briefly noted: Microscopic colitis is much more frequent in adults than in children; nevertheless, it is often important to exclude. A recent study (B Virine et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 18: 2003-2009. Full text: Biopsies From Ascending and Descending Colon Are Sufficient for Diagnosis of Microscopic Colitis) indicates that biopsies can be limited to the ascending and descending colon.

Methods: This was a retrospective study using biopsies from 101 consecutive patients with MC (52 cases of collagenous colitis, 42 cases of lymphocytic colitis, 7 combined cases),

Key finding:

• In this study, microscopic colitis was detected with 100% sensitivity by analyzing biopsy specimens from the ascending and descending colon

My take: The authors note that previous guidelines have suggested taking 8 biopsy specimens.  Their findings support taking much fewer biopsies.

Related blog post/related article:

• Can Microscopic Colitis Lead to UC or Crohn’s Disease?
• #NASPGHAN19 Postgraduate Course (Part 5)
• Full text PDF: AGA Microscopic Colitis Guideline: GC Nguyen et al. Gastroenterol 2016; 150: 242-6. Technical review DS Pardi et al. Gastroenterol 2016; 150: 247-74. Patient guide: pg 275.