[The duodenoscopic picture in adult celiac disease]

The duodenal endoscopic pictures were studied in 12 adult coeliacs patients, aged between 18 and 76 years, mean age 41.9 +/- 17.6 yrs. All patients carried out D-xylose absorption test, antigliadin IgA antibodies and distal duodenum biopsy. The more frequent endoscopic picture was the disappearance of Kerckring's folds; nevertheless in 5 patients the loss of Kerckring's folds was associated with duodenal mucosa irregularity. We believe that in future the knowledge of this new endoscopic picture will be useful in coeliac's disease diagnosis.