Classification of villous atrophy with enhanced magnification endoscopy in patients with celiac disease and tropical sprue.
BACKGROUND
Intestinal lesions in celiac disease (CD) and tropical sprue (TS) can be patchy. Improved endoscopic identification of affected areas may increase the diagnostic yield of biopsy specimens. Enhanced magnification endoscopy [EME] combines magnification endoscopy with 3% acetic acid instillation.


OBJECTIVE
This study describes endoscopic findings associated with villous atrophy during EME.


METHODS
Patients underwent EME with a magnifying endoscope with acetic-acid application. Surface mucosal patterns were characterized before and after acetic-acid spraying. Observed surface patterns were compared with histologic results obtained from a single targeted biopsy specimen.


METHODS
Policlinica Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela.


METHODS
Patients with diagnosed but untreated CD or TS.


RESULTS
Fifty-two biopsy specimens were obtained from 27 patients (17 men, 10 women; mean age 50.5 years; range, 24-76 years; 12 with CD and 15 with TS). EME of the duodenum revealed 4 different mucosal patterns: I, normal; II, stubbed; III, ridged; and IV, foveolar. Three of the 4 patterns were strongly associated with the presence of villous atrophy (pattern I, 1/18 [5.5%]; II, 16/17 [94%]; III, 12/12 [100%]; and IV, 5/5 [100%]). EME was more sensitive than standard endoscopy for detecting villous atrophy, 100% versus 58% in CD and 93% versus 20% in TS. Furthermore, EME identified patchy areas of partial villous atrophy in 16 patients (5 CD and 11 TS) in whom standard endoscopy was normal.


CONCLUSIONS
EME identifies 3 characteristic endoscopic patterns that correlate with the presence of villous atrophy. EME could help identify patchy areas of partial mucosal atrophy, potentially reducing the need for blind biopsies.
Lo
Amy
A
Department of Gastroenterology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
Guelrud
Moises
M
Essenfeld
Harold
H
Bonis
Peter
P
D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D004384:Duodenoscopy; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D013182:Sprue, Tropical / Q000473:pathology*