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Hu L, Franco L, Parikh J, Zayat V. Mastocytic Enterocolitis: An Overlooked Diagnosis for Unexplained Chronic Diarrhea in a Patient With Colon Polyps and a Family History of Colon Cancer. Cureus 2023; 15:e37219. [PMID: 37168163 PMCID: PMC10166299 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic intractable diarrhea is a common presenting complaint that is often clinically worked up for a wide variety of diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and hyperthyroidism. When lab results come back normal, patients are often diagnosed with irritable bowel disease-diarrheal subtype, overlooking the potential diagnosis of mastocytic enterocolitis. Mastocytic enterocolitis is an uncommon diagnosis where patients can benefit from mast cell stabilizers that directly target the underlying pathology. Given the broad differential diagnosis of nonspecific diarrhea presentation, a histopathological examination is warranted for definitive diagnosis. We hope to raise awareness of this potentially treatable disease that can be effectively managed with antihistamines. We describe the case of a 63-year-old male patient with a family history significant for colon cancer who presented with intractable diarrhea and was ultimately diagnosed with mastocytic enterocolitis by histopathology. His symptoms were relieved by antihistamine treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leeann Hu
- Medical School, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, USA
| | - Liliana Franco
- Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida/HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education (GME), Orlando, USA
| | - Jignesh Parikh
- Pathology, Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando, USA
| | - Vania Zayat
- Pathology, Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando, USA
- Pathology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, USA
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Vernia F, Tatti T, Necozione S, Capannolo A, Cesaro N, Magistroni M, Valvano M, Pompili S, Sferra R, Vetuschi A, Latella G. Is mastocytic colitis a specific clinical-pathological entity? Eur J Histochem 2022; 66:3499. [PMID: 36440694 PMCID: PMC9761410 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2022.3499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of intestinal mast cells (MC) is increased in several types of colitis, but the mucosa of patients with chronic non-bloody diarrhea has not been studied. The current study sought to determine the relationship between MC counts and degranulation and the severity of symptoms in patients with chronic loose stools. Following a negative laboratory workup for the most common causes of chronic diarrhea, patients with chronic non-bloody loose stools were included in the study. Patients with macroscopic evidence of inflammation or organic disease were excluded after endoscopy with biopsies. Biopsies from the 179 patients in the study were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and anti-CD117 c-kit antibodies. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the degree of MC degranulation. Out of the 179 patients, 128 had normal histologic findings suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome and were used as controls. Twenty-four presented with abnormally high MC counts (≥40 MC x HPF), 23 with ≥20 intraepithelial lymphocytes x HPF suggesting lymphocytic colitis, and 4 had both (≥40 MC and ≥20 intraepithelial lymphocytes x HPF). In the patients with high MC counts, figures were significantly higher in the right colon versus the left colon (p=0.016), but degranulation did not differ in the right versus the left colon (p=0.125). No age or sex-related difference was observed (p=0.527 and p=0.859 respectively). The prevalence of abdominal pain and bloating did not differ in the three groups (p=0.959 and p=0.140, respectively). Patients with lymphocytic colitis (p=0.008) and those with high MC counts (p=0.025) had significantly higher evacuation rates compared to controls. There was no difference between these two groups (p=0.831). Mast cell degranulation was not associated with the number of evacuations, abdominal pain, or bloating (p=0.51; p=0.41; p=0.42, respectively). The finding that a significantly higher number of evacuations was linked to increased MC in the colonic mucosa of a subset of patients with otherwise normal laboratory and endoscopic findings suggests that "mastocytic colitis" may be a new clinical-pathological entity responsible for chronic non-bloody diarrhea. Prospective studies with a larger number of patients, as well as endoscopic and histological follow-up, are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Vernia
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Tiziana Tatti
- Pathology Unit, S. Salvatore Academic Hospital, L'Aquila,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Stefano Necozione
- Epidemiology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila
| | - Annalisa Capannolo
- Diagnostic and Surgical Endoscopy Unit, San Salvatore Academic Hospital, L'Aquila
| | - Nicola Cesaro
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila
| | - Marco Magistroni
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila
| | - Marco Valvano
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila
| | - Simona Pompili
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberta Sferra
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Vetuschi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Latella
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila,*These authors contributed equally to this work
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Pradera Cibreiro C, Ramos Alonso M, Vázquez Bueno JÁ, Molina Arriero G. Colonic ulcer as an uncommon finding of mastocytosis. GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA 2020; 44:380-381. [PMID: 33039170 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Pradera Cibreiro
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo y Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario Arquitecto Marcide, Ferrol, A Coruña, España.
| | - Marta Ramos Alonso
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo y Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario Arquitecto Marcide, Ferrol, A Coruña, España
| | - Jose Ángel Vázquez Bueno
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo y Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario Arquitecto Marcide, Ferrol, A Coruña, España
| | - Gema Molina Arriero
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo y Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario Arquitecto Marcide, Ferrol, A Coruña, España
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