Large and Small Airway Disease Related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Although airway disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease is uncommon, its involvement may have severe clinical consequences. This article reviews the breadth of pathologic processes that can be expected in the various sizes of airways, and provides a differential diagnosis from other airway diseases that can be found in association with inflammatory bowel disease. It also makes suggestions as to how airway disease can be best differentiated by using appropriate special stains.