Confocal laser endomicroscopy in celiac disease: description of findings in two cases

Duodenal confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) was carried out in six patients to compare the findings with histology. The visibility and quality of the endomicroscopy images were quantified using the following score: 0 = none; 1 = poor; 2 = fair; 3 = good. Four patients had a normal duodenal mucosa, whereas two patients in whom CLE indicated villous atrophy showed histologic features typical of celiac disease. Histology and CLE images were similar in both normal and celiac disease patients; patients with celiac disease had an average score of 3 for epithelial architecture, 3 for goblet cells, 3 for vessels, 1 for inflammatory infiltrate, and 2 for crypt visibility.