title: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis involving the distal small intestine and proximal colon.
abstract: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is an unusual disorder. It is characterized by eosinophil infiltration of the gut wall histologically and is manifested by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms clinically. This disease entity preferentially affects the stomach and proximal small intestine. Mucosal layer disease is the most common form of this uncommon disease. We present a case of EG with transmural distal small intestinal and proximal colonic involvement whose clinical symptoms included watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and body weight loss. Colonoscopy showed non-specific colitis in the proximal colon. Small bowel series showed diffuse jejunal dilatation with wall thickening and rigidity. Abdominal computed tomography also showed a thickened bowel wall with partial ileus and ascites. Diagnosis was established through endoscopic biopsy and ascites paracentesis, while at the same time excluding the possibility of parasite infection. Treatment with prednisolone produced a dramatic response. A high index of suspicion in cases of peripheral eosinophilia with concomitant GI symptoms is needed for the early diagnosis of this uncommon disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Guan-Yeow
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Chia-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Chi-Sin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Changchien
authors.forename: Sheng-Nan
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Shun-Chen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology*; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male