Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - Pathophysiology as Basis of Treatment

Inflammatory bowel diseases are still a challenging problem in today's gastroenterology. Although their aetiology is still not understood, steady progress has been made recently in the understanding of their pathogenesis, due to the application of innovative molecular and cellular biological methods. Knowledge of the immunology of the gut and the basic mechanisms of inflammatory reactions, especially pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, the characterization of inflammatory cell types and their functions and molecules mediating cell interactions. This book aims to close the gap between new findings in pathophysiology and treatment in order to better understand current therapeutic concepts and to develop new strategies for the future. lt comprises the proceedings of the 67th Falk Symposium, held in Regensburg, June 1992, and contains sections on aetiology, pathophysiology, extra-intestinal manifestations, diagnosis and treatment.