Background

Crohn's disease is a lifelong inflammatory disorder characterised by the presence of inflammatory ulcerative lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.¹ Lesions most commonly involve the large and small bowel, giving rise to symptoms of abdominal pain, weight loss, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and fistula formation.² The disease may present at any age, however the second and third decades of life represent the peak ages of diagnosis.³ Although the pathophysiology of Crohn's disease is unknown, a number of possible aetiologies have been reported. These include the interaction of environmental,^4 5 infectious,^6-8 genetic,^9 10 or immunological³ factors. To date, treatment has been geared towards symptomatic relief of disease exacerbations via pharmacological interventions such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, antibiotics, and nutritional therapy. Surgery is indicated in those patients who have failed to respond to medical management, or to correct intestinal obstruction or abscesses. This can be up to 50% of sufferers.¹ Surgical intervention is by no means . . . [Full text of this article]