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Surgical manifestations of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in the pediatric patient
Insights
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare inflammatory bowel disease affecting children. This study reviewed cases, highlighting symptoms, common locations in the GI tract, and the preference for conservative treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown cause.
- It affects approximately 1 in 10,000 pediatric hospital admissions.
Abstract:
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology, occurs in one of 10,000 admissions to this Children's Hospital. We had added 4 cases to the 11 retrieved from a literature review. The inflammation is characterized by mature eosinophils predominating a transmural process which may produce pain, obstruction, perforation, bleeding, or fistulae. All levels of the gastrointestinal tract are involved, but stomach (25.9%) and small bowel (66.7%) lesions are most common. Eosinophilia occurs in 61% of children and allergy in 13%. X-rays may demonstrate a diffuse or localized process. Operative intervention may be necessary to exclude tumors or regional enteritis, and at times to extirpate complications of local disease, but conservative therapy is the treatment of choice for this exacerbating-remitting disease.