Computed Tomographic presentation of obstructive jejunal adenocarcinoma associated with celiac disease and incomplete...

Small bowel adenocarcinoma is a rare entity most frequently observed with celiac disease. This is the first case report on the association of celiac disease, small bowel adenocarcinoma and intestinal malrotation.

A 40 year-old male patient diagnosed with celiac disease since the age of 5 years complained of epigastric pain and vomiting for three days. Computed tomography (CT) showed a significant gastroduodenal dilatation with thickened intestinal wall proximal to the duodenojejunal flexure. The lumen contained a food bezoar in the center. The duodenojejunal angle was abnormally on the right side of the abdomen and the superior mesenteric vein was anterior to the superior mesenteric artery. Endoscopy after aspiration found a hemi-circumferential and irregular mass which bled at the contact of fibroscope. Biopsies showed an adenocarcinoma and small bowel resection was performed.

Celiac disease is associated with a high risk of small bowel cancer. The association of incomplete intestinal malrotation, duodenojejunal flexure tumor and celiac disease made the surgery challenging.

Patients with celiac disease should be carefully monitored and endoscopic or radiologic investigations should be carried out in patients with any doubtful symptoms.