Enteroscopic diagnosis of intestinal malabsorption of a rare etiology: diaphragm disease.

Abstract

We present the case of a 59-year-old patient with malabsorption syndrome which started with polyneuropathy. Capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy show villous denudation. Histological study confirms diaphragm disease of the small bowel. Diaphragm disease is a rare disease characterized by the presence of multiple thin diaphragms, such as septa, that narrow the intestinal lumen. The clinical features can be iron deficiency anemia, intestinal obstruction, change in bowel habits or acute abdomen secondary to perforation. It is usually generally with sustained use of high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The diagnosis usually requires the use of a capsule endoscopy or enteroscopy with biopsies.