Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare but important cause of abdominal pain of unknown
etiology [1]. It can sometimes be recognized on the basis of macroscopic abnormalities, such
as erythema, focal erosions, ulcerations, and thickening of mucosal folds [2]. Small-bowel obstruction can occur in eosinophilic gastroenteritis involving the
muscularis layer [3], but gastric outlet obstruction is extremely rare [4].
In February 2006 we saw a 37-year-old man with a 6-month history of recurring episodes
of vomiting, increased abdominal volume, and weight gain. He had marked peripheral
eosinophilia (2500 cells/μL, 56 % of the white blood cells). He underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy,
when gastric ectasia with pyloric stenosis was found; the duodenal bulb and the second
part of the duodenum up to major papilla were also stenosed, with irregular, gross
thickening of the duodenal folds, an appearance similar to that of lymphoma (Figure
[1]). Histological examination of duodenal and gastric specimens showed numerous eosinophils
in the lamina propria (Figure [2]). Computed tomography was performed, which showed marked gastric ectasia, thickening
of the walls of the distal gastric antrum and the first part of the duodenum, and
marked ascites (Figure [3]).
Figure 1 Endoscopic view of the second part of the duodenum, which appears stenotic, with grossly
thickened duodenal folds, an appearance similar to that of lymphoma. Very little distension
was observed even at maximal air insufflation.
Figure 2 Histological examination showed massive infiltration of eosinophils throughout the
duodenal wall (hematoxylin and eosin stain, magnification × 100).
Figure 3 Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomographic view (using intravenous and oral
contrast) showing pronounced contrast enhancement with gastric ectasia, thickening
of the antrum and the second part of the duodenum, and ascites.
After exclusion of parasitic infestation by stool culture, and on the basis of the
serological, radiological, and histological findings, we made a diagnosis of gastric
outlet obstruction due to eosinophilic gastroenteritis with involvement of the serosal
layer. The patient was treated with prednisone 1 mg/kg/day and pantoprazole 80 mg/day.
Within 7 days of starting this treatment he showed dramatic clinical improvement,
with rapid weight loss, disappearance of the ascites, and early restoration of oral
feeding. The patient is now symptom-free (July 2006), and is still receiving treatment
with pantoprazole 40 mg/day. The endoscopic, histological, and radiological examinations
performed at this time showed that the previously affected areas in the stomach and
duodenum were of normal appearance.
This is the first case report describing eosinophilic gastroenteritis with gastric
outlet obstruction and ascites. This case shows that clinicians should be aware of
this condition because it can mimic a wide variety of other intestinal diseases, and
misdiagnosis could result in inappropriate therapy. Moreover, it confirms that endoscopic,
histological, and radiological investigations are required to make the correct diagnosis
in cases of gastric outlet obstruction.
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