Collagenous sprue cross-sectional imaging: a comparative blinded study.

PURPOSE: Collagenous sprue (CS) is a rare enteropathy characterized by villous atrophy and a thickened subepithelial collagen band. The aim of this study is to describe the cross-sectional imaging findings of CS. METHODS: A case-control, retrospective study with cases of all CS patients from January 2000 to 2015 was performed. Inclusion criteria were (1) Histopathologic diagnosis and (2) Imaging with computed tomography abdomen/pelvis (CT A/P), CT enterography (CTE), or magnetic resonance enterography within 6 months of small bowel (SB) biopsy. Control subjects were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients who underwent CTE. Imaging studies were examined by two GI radiologists, blinded to patient data. RESULTS: 108 patients (54 CS; 54 IBS) were included. Mean age was 56.7 ± 16.5 years, and 68% were female (72% in CS group vs. 63% in IBS group; p = 0.3). CS patients were significantly older (67 ± 12 vs. 47 ± 15 year; p < 0.001) and more likely to be on angiotensin receptor blockers (41% vs. 6%; p < 0.001) as compared to the IBS group. Compared to IBS, CS patients were more likely to have mesenteric lymph node (LN) prominence (56% vs. 15%; p < 0.001), jejunoileal fold pattern reversal (46% vs. 6%; p < 0.001), SB dilation (28% vs. 0%; p < 0.001), SB conformational change (28% vs. 6%; p = 0.002), SB wall thickening (13% vs. 2%; p = 0.03), and ulcerative jejunoileitis (4% vs. 0%; p = 0.01). Radiologists suspected malabsorption in 72% in the CS group and 2% in the IBS group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Imaging findings suggestive of mucosal malabsorption are commonly demonstrated in CS.

Duodenal Villous Atrophy in a TTG-Negative Patient Taking Olmesartan: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat hypertension, is associated with few adverse effects. Here, a case of severe sprue-like enteropathy and acute kidney injury is described in a 68-year-old male taking olmesartan for 3-4 years. He presented to hospital with a five-week history of diarrhea, vomiting, and a 20 lb weight loss. Anti-TTG was negative with a normal IgA. Biopsies of the distal duodenum and duodenal cap revealed marked blunting of the villi with near complete villous atrophy of the biopsies from the bulb. There was an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes as well as neutrophils in the surface epithelium. The patient's diarrhea improved upon discontinuation of olmesartan and he returned to his previous weight. Repeat endoscopy four months later demonstrated complete resolution of inflammatory change with normal villous architecture. Long-term olmesartan use is associated with severe sprue-like enteropathy. The mechanism of intestinal injury is unknown. Duodenal biopsy results may mimic other enteropathies such as celiac disease. Physicians should consider medications as potential etiologies of enteropathy.

Collagenous enterocolitis manifesting as watery diarrhoea and iron-deficiency anaemia.

A 56-year-old Caucasian woman presented with epigastric pain, watery diarrhoea, bloating and flatulence following treatment with duloxetine and venlafaxine for anxiety and depression. Abdominal examination was benign. Blood work revealed haemoglobin of 96 g/L (115-160 g/L), iron 6 µmol/L (10-33 µmol/L), transferrin saturation 0.08 (0.20-0.55), ferritin 26 µg/L (15-180 µg/L), albumin 46 g/L (35-50 g/L), pre-albumin 293 mg/L (170-370 mg/L), total IgA 2.64 g/L (0.78-3.58 g/L) and anti-tTG IgA 5 units (<20 units). Faecal occult blood tests were 3/3 positive and stool cultures were negative. CT enterography was normal. Colonic biopsy revealed collagenous colitis, while duodenal biopsy showed collagenous sprue with blunted to completely flattened villi and markedly thickened subepithelial collagen table entrapping capillaries and lymphocytes. The patient started a gluten-free diet, loperamide and ferrous gluconate. Her symptoms resolved and a faecal immunochemical test performed 6 months later was negative.

An elderly lady with significant weight loss.

We present a rare case of collagenous sprue in an elderly woman with significant weight loss and malnutrition. Collagenous sprue is a rare, female-predominant and immune-mediated gastrointestinal disease that can affect any part of the gut, and shares a strong association with Coeliac disease. The diagnosis is confirmed by gut histopathology demonstrating a subepithelial collagenous band and inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria. The pathogenesis and natural history is poorly elucidated, and treatment involves a gluten-free diet and/or immunomodulatory therapy.

A rare cause of protein losing enteropathy: collagenous sprue.

Collagenous sprue is a clinicopathological entity with an unknown etiology. Its clinical features include progressive malabsorption, diarrhea, weight loss, unresponsiveness to treatment, and high mortality rates. The age interval of collagenous sprue is quite broad and ranges between 2 and 85 years. As far as to our knowledge, the presented case is the first reported case in infancy.

Clinical and histological resolution of collagenous sprue following gluten-free diet and discontinuation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Collagenous sprue is a rare small bowel enteropathy that has overlapping clinical features with coeliac disease; it is commonly associated with arthritic autoimmune conditions, which often require non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In the limited published literature available, there are putative suggestions of a link between NSAID use and collagen deposition in intestinal subepithelia in such patients. The authors present a case of a 43-year-old woman with long-standing NSAID use for autoimmune polyarthropathy and positive coeliac antibodies. However, distal duodenal biopsies revealed a thickened band of subepithelial collagen with villous atrophic appearances consistent with collagenous sprue. The patient was treated with a gluten-free diet and her NSAIDs were discontinued. After 6 months, her gastrointestinal symptoms had resolved with complete histological resolution of the collagenous subepithelial bands and villous atrophy on duodenal biopsy.