Etymed
ileitis
Definition
inflammation of the ileum, the final section of the small intestine
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents with chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Colonoscopy reveals skip lesions with cobblestone appearance in the terminal ileum. Biopsy shows transmural inflammation with granulomas. She also has joint pain and uveitis. This constellation of findings is characteristic of Crohn's disease affecting the ileum.
Mnemonic
Ileitis = Ileal inflammation causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss