complications of crohn's disease may be related or unrelated to the inflammation within the intestine (such as intestinal or extra-intestinal). intestinal complications of crohn's disease include obstruction and perforation of the small intestine abscesses (collections of pus) fistulae and intestinal bleeding. massive distention or dilatation of the colon (megacolon) and rupture (perforation) of the intestine are potentially lifethreatening complications. both generally require surgery but fortunately these two complications are rare. recent data suggest that there is an increased risk of cancer of the small intestine and colon in patients with longstanding crohn's disease. extra intestinal complications involve the skin joints spine eyes liver and bile ducts. skin involvement includes painful red raised spots on the legs (erythema nodosum) and an ulcerating skin condition generally found around the ankles called pyoderma gangrenosum. painful eye conditions (uveitis episcleritis) can cause visual difficulties. arthritis can cause pain swelling and stiffness of the joints of the extremities. inflammation of the low back (sacroiliac joint arthritis) and of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis) can cause pain and stiffness of the spine. inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or bile ducts (primary sclerosing cholangitis) also can occur. sclerosing cholangitis causes narrowing and obstruction of the ducts draining the liver and can lead to yellow skin (jaundice) recurrent bacterial infections and liver cirrhosis with liver failure. sclerosing cholangitis with liver failure is one of the reasons for performing liver transplantation. sclerosing cholangitis frequently is complicated by the development of cancer of the bile ducts.
what are the complications of crohn's disease?