Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2007 Jan;34(1):51-55.

A Case of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in a Patient with Traumatic Hypopituitarism

• Lee SJ
• Chung WC
• Lee KM
• Lee BI
• Kim YC
• Hong CK
• Chang UI
• Yang JM
• Choi KY
• Chung IS

Abstract

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare gastrointestinal disorder that can present with a variety of symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and ascites. It is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal wall. Its incidence has increased recently. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are not well understood. The relationship between hypopituitarism and eosinophilic gastroenteritis is unclear. A corticotropin deficiency and eosinophilia are observed in approximately 90% of traumatic hypopituitarism. We encountered a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with eosinophilic ascites in a patient with traumatic hypopituitarism including central diabetes incipidus. Abdominal computed tomography showed diffuse wall thickening of the esophagus, stomach and small bowel with a large amount of ascites. Cytologic examination of ascites showed heavy dense infiltration of eosinophils. The patient was treated with corticosteroid and responded rapidly. Two months later, she was admitted again with a relapse of symptoms. We report this case with a brief review of the relevant literature.

Keyword

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis; Ascites; Hypopituitarism

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Ascites
Diarrhea
Eosinophilia
Eosinophils*
Esophagus
Gastroenteritis*
Humans
Hypopituitarism*
Incidence
Recurrence
Stomach
Vomiting
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone