Collagenous colitis associated with small intestinal villous atrophy

Abstract

Two patients diagnosed as having small intestinal hyperplastic villous atrophy and being treated with a gluten free diet were investigated because of persistent watery diarrhoea. Both were found to have collagenous colitis. Previous reports of this condition have emphasised the presence of normal small intestinal mucosal architecture and the association of collagenous colitis with intestinal villous atrophy has not previously been reported. Both cases responded to oral steroid therapy, but not to other previously recommended treatment regiments.