Neutropenic enterocolitis: A continuing medical and surgical challenge

Neutropenic enterocolitis is a life threatening complication occurring most frequently after intensive chemotherapy in acute leukemia and solid tumors. This review aims to explore the pathogenesis of the condition and appraise the option and outcome of conservative and surgical management based on the literature review.

A Medline search was carried out and most of the relevant papers in English literature from 1973 onwards on neutropenic enterocolitis were reviewed

Twelve reports of single cases, 21 reports of 2 to 4 cases and 15 reports of 5 or more cases were identified. There were no prospective trials or case control studies on therapy of neutropenic enterocolitis. Among the total of 329 cases identified 69% were treated medically and 31% required surgical intervention . Even though a formal comparison of these 2 groups will not be appropriate, the mortality rate of 31% in the medically managed group was higher than those that required surgical intervention (23%)

With the increasing use of multiple, new and aggressive chemotherapy for hematological and solid tumors there may be an increased frequency of neutropenic enterocolitis encountered in clinical practice. Clinicians should be acutely aware of the association of neutropenic enterocolitis with chemotherapy for the outcome would depend significantly on an early and appropriate treatment either conservative or surgical .