Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2013 Dec;16(4):269-272.

Association between Celiac Disease and Intussusceptions in Children: Two Case Reports and Literature Review

• Gheibi S

Abstract

Association between celiac disease and intussusception has been reported in adult. Although intussusception is common in children, it rarely has been reported in association with celiac disease. Two children, 5 and 7 years old, with celiac disease are reported here, whose initial presentation was intussusception prior to investigation for concomitant failure to thrive. They presented with acute and severe abdominal distention with vomiting, and donuts and pseudo-kidney appearance in abdominal ultrasonography. One patient's intussusception had reducted spontaneously, however the other had required surgery. In investigation for concomitant failure to thrive, tissue transglutaminase levels were very high and duodenal biopsies revealed celiac disease. Thus celiac testing is recommended in children with intussusception and growth failure.

Keyword

Intussusception; Celiac disease; Child

MeSH Terms

Adult
Biopsy
Celiac Disease*
Child*
Failure to Thrive
Humans
Intussusception*
Ultrasonography
Vomiting

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Abdominal ultrasonography shows pseudo-kidney appearance.

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  Fig. 2 Duodenal mucosa revealed marked villous atrophy and intraepithelial lymphocyte infiltration (H&E, ×10).

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  Fig. 3 Abdominal ultrasonography shows transient donuts appearance.

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  Fig. 4 Duodenal biopsies showed increased intraepithelial lymphocyte >40/100 enterocytes and flat villi (H&E, ×10).

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