Burrill Bernard Crohn

American gastroenterologist known for Crohn's disease

Burrill Bernard Crohn

Burrill Bernard Crohn (June 13, 1884 – July 29, 1983) was an American gastroenterologist who is best known for his work identifying the disease that bears his name, Crohn's disease.

Early life and education

Burrill Bernard Crohn was born in New York City, New York, to a family of Jewish immigrants. He attended the City College of New York and later graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1907. During his medical training, Crohn developed an interest in the field of gastroenterology, which was then a relatively new specialty.

Career

After completing his medical degree, Crohn began his career at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where he worked under the mentorship of Dr. Alois B. Crohn, a prominent gastroenterologist of the time. Crohn's early work focused on the study of ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory condition of the colon.

In 1932, Crohn, along with his colleagues Dr. Leon Ginzburg and Dr. Gordon Oppenheimer, published a landmark paper describing a new form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. This condition, which primarily affected the ileum and the colon, was initially referred to as "regional ileitis." Over time, the disease became known as Crohn's disease in recognition of Crohn's contributions to its identification and understanding.

Contributions to gastroenterology

Crohn's work significantly advanced the understanding of inflammatory bowel diseases. He was a pioneer in the use of barium X-rays to diagnose intestinal disorders and advocated for the use of surgical resection in the management of Crohn's disease. His research laid the foundation for future studies on the etiology and treatment of Crohn's disease and other related conditions.

Later life and legacy

Crohn continued to practice medicine and conduct research well into his later years. He was a founding member of the American Gastroenterological Association and served as its president in 1939. Crohn's contributions to medicine were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career.

Burrill Bernard Crohn passed away on July 29, 1983, at the age of 99. His legacy lives on through the continued research and treatment of Crohn's disease, which affects millions of people worldwide.

Related pages

• Crohn's disease
• Gastroenterology
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Ulcerative colitis