Pathogenesis of Crohn's Disease- and Ulcerative Colitis-Related Strictures

Abstract The pathogenesis of stricture formation in inflammatory bowel disease is a complex process with a wide variety of clinical, genetic, and serologic risk factors. Originally thought to be a consequence of chronic inflammation, new evidence exists for noninflammatory contributors to stricture formation, suggesting an intricate interplay of cellular, molecular, and microbiologic factors. Although no specific medical treatments for fibrostenotic strictures currently exist, understanding of these newly discovered mechanisms of stricture formation will undoubtedly guide therapeutic developments in the future.