LearningRadiology

Sprue

• 3 diseases: Celiac Disease of Children, Nontropical sprue and Tropical Sprue

• Celiac disease and Nontropical sprue improve on gluten-free diet

• Tropical sprue improves with antibiotics and folic acid

X-ray

• The hallmark features are: dilatation and dilution, especially in jejunum

• Segmentation of the barium column occurs because it moves more slowly through areas of excessive fluid and separates from the rest of the column-not commonly seen with newer barium mixtures

• Fragmentation is an exaggerated example of the irregular stippling of residual barium in the proximal bowel (which is normal)

• Intussusception is not uncommon but is usually not obstructive; sprue has increased risk of ca and lymphoma

• Moulage sign is caused by dilated loop with effaced folds looking like tube into which wax has been poured

Learn more about Diffuse Small Bowel Disease here and here