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Localized abdominal Castleman disease masquerading as malabsorption syndrome
Sinan Sari1, Arzu Okur, Ediz Yeşilkaya
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. drsinansari@yahoo.com
Castleman disease, a rare lymphoproliferative disorder, can present with malabsorption symptoms. Surgical removal of localized Castleman disease in a teen resolved her anemia, failure to thrive, and deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Rare Diseases
Background:
- Castleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with unknown causes.
- Localized forms are typically treated with surgical excision.
- Malabsorption is an uncommon clinical presentation of Castleman disease.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old female presented with anemia, failure to thrive, osteoporosis, and deficiencies in zinc and vitamins.
- Diagnostic workup revealed localized mesenteric mixed Castleman disease.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the Castleman disease mass led to significant clinical improvement.
- The patient's anemia, failure to thrive, and nutrient deficiencies resolved post-surgery.
Implications:
- This case highlights malabsorption as a potential, albeit rare, manifestation of localized Castleman disease.
- Early diagnosis and surgical intervention can lead to favorable outcomes in pediatric patients.
- Further research into the gastrointestinal manifestations of Castleman disease is warranted.
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