Intramural Fat in the Duodenum and Proximal Small Intestine in Patients with Celiac Disease

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate intramural fat in the duodenum and jejunum, to our knowledge a previously undescribed finding in celiac disease. CONCLUSION: Celiac disease is known to produce inflammation of the duodenum and jejunum. We propose that postinflammatory intramural fat deposition occurs in a distribution likely unique for celiac disease. CT scans of the chest and abdomen obtained for many indications include these portions of the bowel. Celiac disease is now recognized as a common disease, and the recognition of intramural fat in the duodenum and jejunum on CT may allow earlier diagnosis.