Endoscopy in celiac disease.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this review is to highlight the evidence for the role of endoscopy in celiac disease.


RESULTS
Evidence is presented that the endoscopic markers of celiac disease are specific although not sensitive for the disease. Villous atrophy, the hallmark of celiac disease, is patchy in the duodenum, and various techniques may identify areas of villous atrophy. These methods include magnification endoscopy and chromoendoscopy. The most recent innovation, video capsule endoscopy, may be of value in the diagnosis of celiac disease and in the assessment of patients with complicated celiac disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopy and duodenal biopsies are the mainstay for diagnosing celiac disease. Although characteristic endoscopic features may be useful, their absence does not exclude celiac disease. Random biopsy, even of normal-appearing mucosa is necessary for the diagnosis of celiac disease.
Lee
Susie K
SK
Celiac Disease Center, Columbia University College of Physicians, New York, New York, USA.
Green
Peter H R
PH
D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013686:Telemetry; D014741:Video Recording