Editorial
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 21, 2006; 12(7): 1001-1004
Published online Feb 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i7.1001
The role of ultrasonography in patients with celiac disease
Mirella Fraquelli, Valentina Sciola, Chiara Villa, Dario Conte
Mirella Fraquelli, Valentina Sciola, Chiara Villa, Dario Conte, Postgraduate School of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, 20122 Milano, Italy
Correspondence to: Dario Conte, MD, Postgraduate School of Gastroenterology, Padiglione Granelli 3° piano, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milano, Italy. dario.conte@unimi.it
Telephone: +39-2-55033418 Fax: +39-2-55033644
Received: July 27, 2005
Revised: July 29, 2005
Accepted: August 5, 2005
Published online: February 21, 2006
Abstract

The aim of the present review was to summarize the current evidence on the role of ultrasonography (US) and doppler-US in the diagnosis of celiac disease.

Several ultrasonographic signs have been reported in the association with celiac disease in studies using real-time US. Firstly, case control studies identified some of these US signs and then in a prospective series some of these parameters, due to their high specificity, have been shown to be of value in confirming CD diagnosis, whereas others, due to their high sensitivity, have been demonstrated to be useful in excluding the presence of the disease.

The pattern of splanchnic circulation in CD have extensively been investigated by several studies all of which reported similar results and identified a hy-perdynamic mesenteric circulation that reverts to no-rmal values after successful a gluten-free regimen.

The last part of this review will deal with the possible role of US in identyfing the most severe and common intestinal complication of CD, i.e. the enteropathy-associated T cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Keywords: Ultrasonography; Celiac disease