Can someone explain to me what this means?

I have no idea what these test results from my latest colonoscopy actually mean. I would greatly appreciate a translation I can understand. Thank you!!

Histologic sections of the sigmoid colon biopsy specimen
(Part F) show active cryptitis, with formation of crypt abscesses,
and architectural changes. While these are consistent with
inflammatory bowel disease, a superimposed infectious etiology
cannot be completely excluded. No viral cytopathic changes or
granulomas are present. An immunohistochemical stain for CMV is
negative. Correlation with serologic and microbiologic studies is
required.

CLINICAL HISTORY: A 36 year-old female with a diagnosis of
ulcerative colitis (March 2015) with findings of mild distal
proctitis on colonoscopy, with persistent symptoms.


OPERATION: EGD, colonoscopy

OPERATIVE FINDINGS: Mild gastric erythema, mild to moderate colonic
erythema/edema in sigmoid colon

Nothing was stated about rectum

Sure, here's what I know:

Histologic sections of the sigmoid colon biopsy specimen
(Part F) show active cryptitis
The large intestine of a healthy person has a surface that looks like waves on a pond, there's hills and valleys, when looked at through a microscope. The valleys are known as "crypts" in basic medical jargon. It's very common to see "crypt abscesses" in a typical ulcerative colitis biopsy. What that means is the crypt (valley) is clogged up with lots of stuff that doesn't belong there, usually lymphocytes (white blood cells or other immune cells). It mentions "architectural changes" which is consistent with chronic inflammation, our cell structure changes over time and that's common too.

Whomever looked at your biopsy basically said, it looks like something consistent with ulcerative colitis, however, they could not rule out an infectious cause based on what they saw within your biopsy slide. You could always have that biopsy slide sent to a specialist in IBD (a generalist might have looked at it) for clarification. Generally, if your doctor isn't concerned than neither should you be, but ask for clarification if you're worried. Often, having one kinda fuzzy/iffy data point among many dozens of very crystal-clear data points doesn't impact one's diagnosis in the slightest.

Mild gastric erythema, mild to moderate colonic
erythema/edema in sigmoid colon
Erythema means redness in medical jargon. It looks like sunburned skin, is usually superficial, and is often caused by the harsh prep necessary for a colonoscopy. Erythema/redness is also a sign of active inflammation.

Edema means swelling, usually from inflammation. When we have inflammation, blood pools in our tissue causing it to appear red and swollen and that's known by the medical jargon Edema.

Try 6MP

Nothing about rectum..biopsies...for UC is questionable.

q