Computed tomography of celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and destruction in the small intestine in response to the ingestion of gluten and related proteins. Although long considered a pediatric condition, it is now recognized as a condition that affects all ages, with significant complications if it goes untreated. Adults are most likely to present for imaging without a diagnosis for unspecified abdominal symptoms. Imaging the small intestine is complicated. Although the advent of multidetector computed tomography (CT) helps, the relative newness of its use, combined with the relative scarcity of imaging studies of celiac disease, make CT imaging of celiac disease a constantly evolving arena.