Eosinophilic gastroenteritis--a disease with a wide clinical spectrum.
Two patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis are described. The predominant eosinophilic infiltration of the mucosal layer of the upper gastrointestinal tract resulted in severe protein-losing enteropathy and peripheral eosinophilia in one patient and a malabsorption syndrome due to saccharose and lactose intolerance in another patient. There was a wide range of abdominal symptoms, depending on the site and extent of the disease. The diagnosis was based upon typical biopsy findings. There was a marked lack of any biochemical abnormality. The course of the disease was chronic and relapsing. Symptoms were not controlled with corticosteroids alone; only after the addition of disodium chromoglycate per os was prolonged disease control achieved.
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center, Alkmaar, Netherlands.
A
A
Beishuizen
A A
AA
van Bodegraven
W
W
Bronsveld
J W
JW
Sindram
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004384:Duodenoscopy; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium