[Oligosymptomatic sprue--report of 4 cases]. / Oligosymptomatische Sprue--ein Bericht über 4 Fälle.

In the last 5 years we observed four cases of oligosymptomatic celiac disease. All patients presented isolated manifestations of malabsorption, but we did not find the typical symptoms of celiac disease, like diarrhea or steatorrhea. Three patients showed an iron deficiency anemia refractory to therapy and one patient a distinct osteomalacia with spontaneous bone fractures. In all these cases we were able to point out the typical microscopic feature and tissue antibodies of the celiac disease. Treating the patients with a gluten-free diet, the symptoms disappeared. These observations demonstrate the importance of the small bowel biopsy in cases of causative unknown isolated manifestations of malabsorption, which possibly belong to the celiac disease.

[Ambulatory parenteral nutrition in short bowel syndrome: a retrospective study]. / Ambulante parenterale Ernährung bei Kurzdarm-Syndrom. Eine retrospektive Analyse.

Parenteral nutrition via an indwelling central venous catheter was undertaken at home over a total period of 24,747 days in 34 patients with the short-bowel syndrome (of various causes). In some of the patients there developed complete adaptation of the residual intestine so that parenteral nutrition could be terminated. Complications were: infection, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and metabolic problems. But the method proved to be suitable for improving the quality of life of these patients.