title: Heartburn and multiple-site foregut perforations as primary manifestation of Crohn's disease.
abstract: Crohn's disease may affect any segment of the digestive tract, more commonly the distal ileum, colon and/or perianal region. There is an increasing number of reports dealing with foregut Crohn's disease. We present the case of a patient with a history of heartburn and multiple spontaneous perforations of the esophagus, duodenum and jejunum as a primary manifestation of Crohn's disease who required emergency surgical and endoscopic procedures. Early detection of Crohn's disease may decrease the incidence of acute life-threatening complications provided that appropriate medical treatment is administered and a multidisciplinary approach is offered to these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Policlinico San Donato, Division of General Surgery, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bona
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Incarbone
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chella
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vecchi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonavina
mesh_terms: D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006356:Heartburn / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents