Unusual Manifestation of Ulcerative Colitis.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric rheumatology
• Gastroenterology
• Inflammatory disorders

Background:

• Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is an inflammatory bone disorder.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC), can manifest with extraintestinal rheumatic symptoms.
• The association between CRMO and UC is infrequently documented.

Observation:

• A 10-year-old Saudi female presented with CRMO symptoms including fever and foot pain.
• Ulcerative colitis was diagnosed based on endoscopic and histological findings following a history of diarrhea and anemia.
• The patient experienced significant improvement with IBD-specific therapy.

Findings:

• This case represents the first reported instance of pediatric CRMO associated with UC in Saudi Arabia.
• The co-occurrence of CRMO and UC in this patient responded favorably to established IBD treatments.
• The findings suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of IBD therapy for CRMO.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering IBD in pediatric patients with CRMO.
• It supports the utilization of IBD therapies as a treatment modality for CRMO.
• Further research into the pathogenic links between CRMO and UC may elucidate novel treatment strategies.