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Disseminated aseptic abscesses associated with Crohn's disease: a new entity?
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|March 25, 1998
Summary
Disseminated aseptic abscesses in young adults were effectively treated with steroids and immunosuppressants. These sterile abscesses may represent an extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Disseminated aseptic abscesses are rare, sterile deep infections.
- Their association with inflammatory conditions is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe clinical, biological, radiological, and histological features of seven cases of disseminated aseptic abscesses.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes and explore potential underlying causes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of seven patients diagnosed with sterile deep abscesses.
- Clinical data, laboratory results, imaging, histology, and treatment responses were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Patients presented with fever and abdominal pain; abscesses involved spleen, lymph nodes, liver, pancreas, brain, and chest.
- Microorganisms were not identified; six patients later developed Crohn's disease.
- Steroids and immunosuppressants led to rapid improvement in six patients.
Conclusions:
- Disseminated aseptic abscesses may be an extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease.
- Treatment with steroids and immunosuppressive agents is effective.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and association with neutrophilic dermatosis is warranted.