Containing papers from the Falk Symposium on "Innovative Concepts in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases", held in Rostock, Germany, from April 30 to May 2 1998, this volume contains papers on genetics, animal models, immunology, epithelial cells, endotoxin, diagnostic procedures, malignancy, medical therapies, and surgery, with suggestions concerning future research and clinical management of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases represent an important medical problem, since they have a devastating impact on the quality of life and require longstanding medical care. Many medical disciplines are involved in tackling the immensely complex studies on pathogenesis, clinical expression and treatment possibilities.
