1. (a) The caecocolic orifice is visible but the adjacent ileocolic valve is obscured by a pool of faecal liquid.
(a) The caecocolic orifice is visible but the adjacent ileocolic valve is obscured by a pool of faecal liquid. (b) Removal of the faecal liquid allows visualisation of the mushroom-like ileocolic valve, with the caecocolic orifice visible below it. (c) Blind intubation of the ileocolic valve with biopsy forceps allows either a few blind ileal biopsies to be obtained, or the endoscope to be passed into the ileum. (d) Normal ileal mucosa after an endoscopic biopsy; note the degree of bleeding, which is often more severe than after duodenal biopsy because the ileal mucosa is thinner
Ed Hall In Practice 2015;37:
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