Aphthous ulcers in Crohn disease Aphthous ulcers in Crohn disease. Aphthous ulcers are the earliest characteristic lesion of Crohn disease. These minute ulcers range in size from barely visible to 3 mm, usually surrounded by a halo of erythema. These superficial ulcers are in the descending colon. (Used, with permission, from Michelle Nazareth, MD.) Source: Gastrointestinal Disorders, Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2017 Citation: Papadakis MA, McPhee SJ, Rabow MW. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2017; 2016 Available at: https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/DownloadImage.aspx?image=/data/books/1843/cmdt17_ch15_ef085.png&sec=135711034&BookID=1843&ChapterSecID=135709704&imagename= Accessed: October 11, 2017 Copyright © 2017 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved