Eosinophilic gastroenteritis presenting as tense ascites and ileal subobstruction

Abstract

SUMMARY
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare condition of
unknown aetiology characterized by peripheral eosinophilia,
eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract, and
abnormalities of gastrointestinal function. We recently
treated a young man affected by eosinophilic infiltration
extending from his stomach to his ileum and presenting as
tense eosinophilic ascites and ileal subobstruction. We diagnosed
him as a case of a diffuse infiltrative type of eosinophilic
gastroenteritis with subserosal involvement, essential
to obtain eosinophilic ascites. When given oral steroids,
the patients condition improved and he was discharged
without symptoms. This report adds to the scarce
data on sub-serosal involvement, the rarest form of presentation,
and illustrates that EGE complicated by ascites
can be effectively treated with steroids after other systemic
disorders associated with peripheral eosinophilia have been
ruled out.
Key words: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, ascites, abdominal
pain