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.

Design: 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.

Setting: Policlinica Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela.

Patients: 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.