title: Eosinophilic myenteric ganglionitis is associated with functional intestinal obstruction.
abstract: The diagnostic features and clinical course of three children (aged 1 month to 15 years) with severe functional intestinal obstruction and inflammation of the colonic lamina propria and myenteric plexus are described. The myenteric inflammatory infiltrate was eosinophil predominant with none of the immunological characteristics of lymphocytic ganglionitis. Neurones in the myenteric ganglia expressed the potent eosinophil chemoattractant interleukin 5. None responded to dietary exclusion but all three responded symptomatically to immunosuppression/anti-inflammatory treatments. Eosinophilic ganglionitis is associated with a pseudo-obstructive syndrome which is amenable to anti-inflammatory treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Schäppi
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Milla
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lindley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000473:pathology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000473:pathology; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology