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Eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ileus and ascites
T Miyamoto1, T Shibata, S Matsuura
1Department of Internal Medicine, Municipal Sakata Hospital.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis can present atypically with ileus and ascites, even without peripheral eosinophilia. Conservative treatment proved effective in this unique case of subserosal eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract.
- It can manifest with diverse symptoms, often mimicking other abdominal pathologies.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old woman with a history of allergies presented with epigastric pain, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
- Imaging revealed ascites and significant intestinal wall thickening and dilatation.
- The patient exhibited eosinophilic ascites but lacked peripheral eosinophilia.
Findings:
- Histological examination showed eosinophilic infiltrates not predominantly within the gastrointestinal tract.
- The case presented features suggestive of the subserosal type of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
- Conservative management, including intravenous fluids and antibiotics, led to a positive outcome.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering eosinophilic gastroenteritis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained ascites and ileus.
- Atypical presentations, such as subserosal predominance and lack of peripheral eosinophilia, require thorough investigation.
- Conservative management may be a viable option for specific presentations of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.