Eosinophilic enterocolitis: a case report

J Med Case Rep. 2024 Jan 19;18(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s13256-023-04319-9.

Abstract

Background: Eosinophilic enterocolitis is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal eosinophilic infiltration of the small intestine and the colon.

Case presentation: We report a case of a 29-year-old White man, who presented with an acute bowel obstruction. He had a history of a 2 months non-bloody diarrhea. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) and a MR enterography showed a multifocal extensive ileitis. White blood cell and eosinophilic polynuclei count was elevated (700/mm3). Ileo-colonoscopy showed normal ileum and segmental petechial colitis. Pathology showed a high eosinophilic infiltration in the colon. The patient was treated with steroids, with a clinical, biological and radiological recovery.

Conclusion: Eosinophilic enterocolitis should be kept in mind as a rare differential diagnosis in patients presenting with small bowel obstruction.

Keywords: Acute bowel obstruction; Eosinophilic colitis; Extensive ileitis; Steroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Colitis* / diagnosis
  • Colonoscopy
  • Enterocolitis* / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilia* / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilia* / drug therapy
  • Eosinophilia* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Male