Recurrent colonic ulcers in celiac sprue, an unrecognized fatal complication: report of a case

In a patient who had celic sprue intractable to a gluten-free diet, volvulus and jejunal and colonic ulcers developed. Following segmental colonic resection, these ulcers recurred at the site of the previous anastomosis, and proved a fatal complication because of colonic perforation. Since no obvious etiology of colonic ulcers could be identified in this case, it is possible that they may represent an unrecognized intestinal complication of celiac sprue similar to jejunoileal ulcers.