Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2001 Mar;22(3):159-163.

Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Involving Entire Gastrointestinal Tract with Eosinophilic Ascites

• Yoo K
• Lee JH
• Lee MS
• Lee MY
• Nam SW
• Roe IH
• Myong NH

Abstract

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease of unknown cause characterized by eosinophilic infiltration in various areas of gastrointestinal tract with gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and rarely ascites. Its clinical feature depends on the type of layer and location involved. Serosal eosinophilic infiltration, the rarest form of presentation, may result in development of eosinophilic ascites. We experienced a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis involving entire gastrointestinal tract with eosinophilic peritoneal fluid in a 38-year-old female with abdominal distension and abdominal pain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, small bowel series, abdominal CT showed diffuse wall thickening from esophagus to rectum. The eosinophilic peritoneal fluid and peripheral eosinophilia were confirmed by multiple biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract. She was treated with corticosteroid and responded dramatically. We report this case with a brief review of the literatures.

Keyword

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis; Eosinophilic ascites

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adult
Ascites*
Ascitic Fluid
Biopsy
Colonoscopy
Diarrhea
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
Eosinophilia
Eosinophils*
Esophagus
Female
Gastroenteritis*
Gastrointestinal Tract*
Humans
Rare Diseases
Rectum
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Vomiting