Dunnedarminvaginatie als eerste teken van coeliakie

In intestinal invagination or intussusception, part of the intestine slides into an adjacent section of intestine. Intussusception is normally seen in children and is rare in adults. Here, the cause is usually a structural abnormality of the intestinal wall.

Case description

A 25-year-old female with no previous history presented with acute onset progressive pain in the upper left abdomen. Ultrasound showed jejunal oedema and jejunal intussusception. One hour later, an abdominal CT scan confirmed jejunal oedema without intussusception. Coeliac disease was diagnosed based on elevated serum levels of IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (IgA-tTGA) and the characteristic histological abnormalities of the small intestine. After introduction of a gluten free diet, the patient recovered and serum levels of IgA-tTGA returned to normal.

Conclusion

In an adult patient presenting with intestinal intussusception without signs of a structural abnormality, coeliac disease must be considered as a possible cause.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.