Whipple's disease: the role of duodenal biopsy in diagnosis and follow-up.
Blind suction small intestinal biopsy is still the classical method in establishing the diagnosis of Whipple's disease. Duodenal endoscopy with directed biopsy seems however to be a better alternative after the description, in recent years, of a characteristic endoscopic picture of Whipple's disease. In clinically suspected cases, biopsy from other parts of the small intestine may be rewarding if the duodenal biopsy is negative. A case of Whipple's disease, diagnosed by duodenal biopsy, is reported and the relevant literature is discussed.
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008061:Whipple Disease / Q000473:pathology*