Recurrent acute pancreatitis due to eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Case report and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of any gastrointestinal segment from the esophagus to the rectum, most commonly, the stomach and the duodenum. Clinical manifestations range from non-specific gastrointestinal complaints to more specific symptoms such as protein-losing enteropathy, malabsorption, luminal obstruction and eosinophilic ascites.


METHODS
We report the case of a 35-year-old woman with recurrent gastric outlet obstruction due to eosinophilic infiltration of the stomach and the duodenum. There was a history of two episodes of acute pancreatitis as well as eosinophilia of bone marrow and ascites.


CONCLUSIONS
Although unusual, eosinophilic gastroenteritis may be complicated by symptomatic acute pancreatitis. Seven previous cases have been reported in the literature, and a comparison was made. The pancreatitis is probably due to duct obstruction, but some cases of eosinophilic gastroenteritis have pancreatic tissue eosinophilia. Most cases respond to medical treatment, and surgery is usually unnecessary.
Lyngbaek
Stig
S
Department of Anaestesiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Adamsen
Sven
S
Aru
Antonio
A
Bergenfeldt
Magnus
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000209:etiology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence