Pathologist surgeon interface in idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease.

To accomplish the important tasks of establishing the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and separating ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease, there needs to be close cooperation among gastroenterologist, surgeon, and pathologist. Paying close attention to details of sampling and historical information plays a major role in this task, and an equally great role in identifying dysplasia and determining its significance. Important elements in this clinical-pathology interface are discussed in this article.