[Fainting after drinking a glass of whiskey-soda...].
BACKGROUND
Alcohol intolerance is a rare syndrome that usually involves pain, pruritus, or vasomotor phenomena consecutive to moderate alcohol intake. This syndrome may unmask various malignancies, especially Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and carcinoma of the cervix.


METHODS
A patient who became unconscious after drinking a glass of whiskey-cola was explored for alcohol intolerance. High-level hypereosinophilia was discovered. The diagnosis of idiopathic hypereosinophilia was retained after extensive evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
Idiopathic hypereosinophilia may be a premalignancy expression of a lymphoproliferative disorder. In our patient, who also had alcohol intolerance known to be associated with later diagnosis of malignancy, lymphocyte phenotype studies revealed an abnormal population. However, rearrangement studies of T-cell and B-cell receptors, as well as bone marrow cytology and histology did not enable identification of a lymphoproliferative disorder. This patient will require close follow-up due to the risk of developing a lymphoproliferative disorder.
Clinique des Maladies infectieuses et Réanimation médicale, CHU Pontchaillou, F35033 Rennes. tattevin@club-internet.fr
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Tattevin
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Caumes
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Merle-Béral
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Piette
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013575:Syncope / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D011241:Prednisone