Collagenous enterocolitis: a case of collagenous colitis with involvement of the small intestine

Abstract

A 78-yr-old previously well caucasian female presented with a 6-wk history of profuse watery diarrhea and weight loss. Clinical investigation showed evidence of mild malabsorption. Multiple biopsies of colonic mucosa revealed a wide subepithelial band of collagen typical of collagenous colitis. Duodenal biopsies showed similar collagen deposition and partial villous atrophy. Some amelioration of symptoms occurred with sulfasalazine therapy. This is the first reported case of collagenous colitis with histological evidence of small intestinal involvement. At least in some patients, collagenous colitis and collagenous sprue appear to be manifestations of a single disease. For such cases, the term collagenous enterocolitis is suggested.