ACUTE ABDOMEN IN A CASE OF CELIAC SPRUE - A RARE COMPLICATION

Background: The celiac sprue, a small intestinal disease usually becom ing apparent by a malabsorption syndrome, is caused by gluten respecti vely gliadin intolerance which leads to intestinal mucosal damage fina lly resulting in complete villous atrophy. Case Report: A propos of th e case of a 60-year old woman with an uneventful course of celiac spru e of many years we report about a rare complication of this disease. I nvestigating recurrent attacks of abdominal pain a barium contrast exa mination revealed an intestinal stenosis which clinically resulted in an acute abdomen finally requiring surgery. Histologically a chronic u lcerative jejunoileitis was found The main differential diagnosis is a malignant intestinal lymphoma, this however couldn't be found. Regard ing this differential diagnosis surgical removal of the diseased parts of the bowel is the therapy of choice. Because of the possible transi tion from ulcerative jejunoileitis to intestinal lymphoma a postoperat ive close follow-up is recommended.