Similar to Crohn’s Disease, but Diagnosed with Stenotic Ischemic Enteritis or Ischemic Colitis: Case Series and a Systematic Review

Background and Study Aims: Stenotic ischemic enteritis or ischemic colitis, along with transmural inflammation, ulcers and strictures, is extremely similar to Crohn’s disease. We aimed to report relevant cases and perform a systematic review to help distinguish two diseases. Patients and Methods: We reviewed our institutional experience with stenotic ischemic enteritis or ischemic colitis. Besides, we performed a comprehensive literature review using Medline (OvidSP), Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to March 2022. Demographic parameters, serological indexes, imaging markers, histological features and treatment were abstracted from our cases and included literatures. Results: We reported four cases of stenotic ischemic enteritis and one stenotic is chemic colitis in our centre, and they were all male, aging 22-65 years old. Characteristics of the five patients were presented and histological examination played an essential role in discriminating them from CD. Besides, 35 patients of stenotic IE from 17 publications were included in the systematic review and the characteristics of included patients were also presented. Conclusions: The treatment to stenotic ischemic enteritis or ischemic colitis and CD was different. Although they are very similar, but they can be distinguished from each other according to demographic features, radiographic and endoscopic imaging, especially histological evaluation.