Adult coeliac disease. A case with ulceration, dermatitis herpetiformis and reticulosarcoma

A 64-year-old woman with adult coeliac disease developed recurrent ulceration and perforation of the small intestine, dermatitis herpetiformis and a reticulosarcoma of the small intestine. She died following the third perforation. The possible importance of strict adherence to a gluten-free diet in the hope of preventing these complications in patients with adult coeliac disease is discussed.