Transmural inflammation is not pathognomonic for Crohn's disease of the pouch.

Background: Transmural inflammation shown by imaging and histology has been considered a hallmark of Crohn's disease (CD). However, the diagnostic and prognostic value of this feature in CD of the pouch has not been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of transmural inflammation in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) using in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histopathology.

The efficacy and tolerability of AST-120 (spherical carbon adsorbent) in active pouchitis.

Objectives: Although a majority of patients with pouchitis respond favorably to antibiotic therapy, many relapse frequently, and nonabsorbable and non-antibiotic-based agents are desirable for reducing bacterial resistance and the systemic adverse effects associated with long-term antibiotic exposure. AST-120 (a spherical carbon adsorbent) comprises highly adsorptive, porous carbon microspheres with the ability to adsorb small-molecular-weight toxins, inflammatory mediators,and harmful bile acids. The aim of this pilot trial was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of AST-120 in the treatment of active pouchitis.