Figure 1
The 2008 endoscopic image displays a pale, translucent mucosal region from the cecum with prominent a submucosal vascular pattern indicating advanced atrophy. For comparison the endoscopic image form 1998 displays a normal aspect of cecal mucosa. Please note, the digitally reproduced instant camera image from 1998 displays a somewhat lower resolution. The corresponding histology (hematoxilin and eosin staining) corroborates the endoscopic impression. The height of the cecal mucosa (138 μm [range: 128 - 146 μm]) was dramatically reduced in 2008. Almost no significant sub-epithelial collagen band thickening could be demonstrated in the atrophic cecal mucosa.