Radiology in idiopathic chronic ulcerative enteritis

Two patients with idiopathic chronic ulcerative enteritis (ICUE) having malabsorption, subtotal villous atrophy and non-specific small intestinal ulceration are presented with emphasis on the radiological features. No improvement was shown morphologically following gluten withdrawal. The literature on this condition is reviewed. Obstruction, perforation and melaena are serious complications and the prognosis is poor; only 11 out of 31 reported cases survived. Differentiation from coeliac disease, Crohn's disease and primary intestinal lymphoma is discussed.