[A case of protein-losing enteropathy associated with small bowel villous atrophy].
Protein losing enteropathy is described as a diverse group of disorders associated with excessive loss of serum proteins into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The etiology of protein losing enteropathy is various. Increased mucosal permeability to protein as a result of cell damage, mucosal erosion, or lymphatic obstruction may develop protein losing enteropathy. Celiac disease is a common cause of protein losing enteropathy associated with small bowel villous atrophy in Europe. We experienced a case of protein losing enteropathy associated with small bowel villous atrophy of unknown origin. A 36-year-old woman was admitted due to chronic watery diarrhea and weight loss. Laboratory findings showed total protein 4.7 g/dL, albumin 2.7 g/dL, cholesterol 100 mg/dL, WBC 6,000/mm3 (lymphocyte 13.6%) with the absence of proteinuria. On esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination, duodenal ulcer scar was noted on the bulb and colonoscopic finding was nonspecific. On small bowel enteroscopy, jejunal and ileal villi was scantly noticed. Small bowel biopsy showed marked villous atrophy. Her symptoms did not improve after supportive care. Gluten free diet was tried because celiac disease could not be ruled out completely. Diarrhea ceased and body weight regained after gluten free diet.
Han
Sung Hee
SH
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Oh Young
OY
Eun
Chang Su
CS
Roh
Byoung Joo
BJ
Sohn
Won
W
Baeg
Seung Sam
SS
Yoon
Byung Chul
BC
Choi
Ho Soon
HS
D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000473:pathology*; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D012709:Serum Albumin; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D012709:Serum Albumin; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin