[Gluten-sensitive enteropathy with intestinal T-cell lymphoma: an unusual cause of in disabling osteomalacia].

We describe a 64-year-old woman with a malignant intestinal T-cell lymphoma who presented four years later with disabling osteomalacia and secondary hyperparathyroidism due to malabsorption. Only two years later, when the patient had developed fatty stools, flatulence and weight loss, diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) was confirmed by small-intestine biopsy. This case report illustrates that in adults GSE can be oligosymptomatic for long periods. In cases of osteomalacia or rare intestinal T-cell lymphoma a detailed history of bowel movements, inspection of stools, quantification of fat excretion in stools and laboratory tests for malabsorption are recommended. Positive antibodies against gliadin, endomysium and reticulin may support the diagnosis of GSE. However, intestinal biopsy is necessary to verify the presence of GSE. In view of the unspecific histological changes, a follow-up biopsy is recommended in oligosymptomatic cases. Serial measurements of antibodies allow supervision of compliance for a diet strictly free of gluten. In addition, lactose containing milk products need to be restricted initially because of secondary lactase deficiency.