Lymphocytic Colitis : Intro & Clinical

Lymphocytic colitis (LC) and collagenous colitis (CC) have overlapping clinical and histologic features. They are collectively referred to as microscopic colitis. Like CC, LC also occurs usually in middle-aged and elderly patients; however, there is no female predominance. The patients present with chronic watery diarrhea. Endoscopic findings are normal.

This image shows the characteristic histologic features of LC - surface epithelial damage, increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, no increase in the thickness of subepithelial collagen, and normal crypt architecture. Image copyright: pathorama.ch