Narrow-Band Imaging Colonoscopy to Assess Mucosal Angiogenesis in Ulcerative Colitis

Figure 3

Endoscopic and histological findings of the mucosa classified as “crypt opening pattern” under NBI. (a) Under NBI colonoscopy, the intramucosal capillaries were invisible and round crypts were observed. (b) The histological degree of inflammation was judged to be severe. (c) Numerous microvessels in the lamina propria and submucosa were revealed by CD31 staining. (d) Numerous VEGF staining, in both endothelial cells and epithelial cells, was observed; in addition, infiltrating inflammatory cells were also stained for VEGF.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)