Abstract

VERA, Augusto; FRISANCHO, Oscar; YABAR, Alejandro  and  CARRASCO, Wilmer. Celiac disease and intestinal obstruction by T cell lymphoma. Rev. gastroenterol. Perú [online]. 2011, vol.31, n.3, pp.278-281. ISSN 1022-5129.

A male patient, 55 years old, born in Ayacucho, with Spanish ancestors, was hospitalized through emergency referring abdominal pain, and 10 kilograms weight loss. Six months before he was diagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome. His previous diseases were rheumatoid arthritis and intolerance to lactose. Laboratory results were: Hb 12 gr./dL, white cells 5200 per mm3, albumin 2.7 gr./dL, erythrocyte sedimentation rate 32 mm/hr., and tumor markers were negative. Radiographic study of the small bowel showed barium fragmentation, and a focal dilation in distal jejunum. Chest X-ray and CT scan of thorax, abdomen and pelvis were normal. Colonoscopy was normal for colonic mucosa, but in ileum it showed an irregular mucosa, little nodules and fewer folds than usual. Biopsy from ileum demonstrated unspecific inflammation. Upper endoscopy showed gastritis, a duodenum scar ulcer and an irregular mosaic pattern pink and white. Duodenum biopsy demonstrated short villi, chronic inflammation and an increase in the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, all these was consistent with celiac disease Marsh 3. Antibodies anti-endomisium and anti-transglutaminase were positive. After some days he developed signs of bowel obstruction and was operated. A tumor was found in jejunum with a bowel perforation. Pathological study showed a small bowel T-cell lymphoma. Fortunately this patient did well, and was sent home to continue treatment on ambulatory basis. Celiac disease is more common than what is thought, and it has been demonstrated that there are more persons with subclinical celiac disease, than those with the typical clinical pattern. It is necessary to be aware of this disease to improve diagnosis in order to avoid late complications as small bowel lymphoma.

Keywords : celiac disease; bowel obstruction; enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma.

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