[Collagenous sprue--a rare form of celiac disease in adulthood]

The authors report a case of collagenous sprue. This condition is characterized by coeliac type small bowel malabsorption, resistant to gluten free diet and other therapeutic efforts, associated with poor prognosis. The diagnosis depends on the histological demonstration of extensive collagenization of the lamina propria in the flat jejunal mucosa. This disease must be kept in mind at differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea with progressive malabsorption, especially if it is resistant to gluten withdrawal in contrast to conventional coeliac disease.