Roentgenology and Malabsorption Syndromes

In Reply.— We thank Smith for providing an interesting and important historical perspective regarding the radiologic manifestations attributed to intestinal malabsorption in childhood. The remarkable similarity in findings between our recent report and the earlier studies some 40 years ago, serves to emphasize the need for considerable caution in interpreting the significance of the so-called radiologic malabsorption pattern on small bowel follow-through examination. In addition, it should be emphasized that all subjects included in our report were evaluated with the use of nonflocculating contrast media, providing support for Smith's observation that these newer materials have failed to completely negate the problem of demonstrating radiologic manifestations of malabsorption in a normal child.