In CRST syndrome, latent oesophageal involvement is common but not usually associated with any clinical manifestations. Involvement of the small intestine is rare. In three patients there occurred severe complications related to digestive involvement in the condition. In one case, involvement of the small intestine was associated with functional obstruction. In the other two patients, oesophageal involvement progressed to very tight stenosis of the lower end of the eosophagus. The generally accepted bening nature of this form of scleroderma must therefore be questioned.