Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome: A Case Report

JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2022 May 5;60(249):473-477. doi: 10.31729/jnma.7407.

Abstract

Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome is a rare disease characterised by diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, cutaneous and mucosal hyperpigmentation, alopecia, and onychodystrophy. Here we report a case of a 40-year-old female with Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome, who presented with the complaints of diffuse abdominal pain, blood mixed stools, and diarrhoea associated with tenesmus. She had nausea and reduced appetite and lost 10 kgs in 3 months. She had hair fall (alopecia), atrophic changes of nails (onychodystrophy), and hyperpigmentation of the skin in fingers, tongues, and lips. Histopathological biopsy of the gastric and colonic biopsy revealed polypoid edematous mucosa and the colonic biopsies showed scattered dilated glands with inflammatory exudate and mucin. She got Entamoeba histolytica and COVID-19. She received respective antibiotics and protein diets that helped relieve the symptoms. After 4 weeks of steroids, her symptoms improved drastically. Corticosteroids, treating co-infection along with nutritional counselling can be helpful to relieve the symptoms.

Keywords: alopecia; case reports; cronkhite-canada syndrome; hyperpigmentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adult
  • Alopecia / etiology
  • COVID-19*
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation* / complications
  • Hyperpigmentation* / etiology
  • Intestinal Polyposis* / complications
  • Intestinal Polyposis* / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Polyposis* / pathology