Pulmonary and hepatic nodular lesions precede the diagnosis of Crohn's disease in an 8-year-old girl: a case study and review of the literature

Abstract

Aim: To describe a novel clinical observation and to provide a review the literature about lung involvement in children with Crohn disease (CD).

Methods: An 8-year-old girl presented with pulmonary and hepatic granulomatous lesions, followed 6 months later by abdominal and general symptoms, resulting in the diagnosis of CD. Differential diagnosis between CD and sarcoidosis and a review of the literature about lung lesions in children with CD are discussed.

Results: Crohn disease can be associated with pulmonary lesions, developing before, at the same time or after occurrence of digestive symptoms.

Conclusions: This report highlights not only the importance of looking for lung lesions in CD but also underscores the necessity of considering the diagnosis of CD in incomplete presentation evoking sarcoidosis.