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Elger T, Loibl J, Buechler C, Haferkamp S, Werner J, Drexler K, Hohenleutner U, Guelow K, Kunst C, Kandulski A, Goeggelmann P, Mueller M, Tews HC. Fistulising skin metastases in Crohn's disease: a case report and review of the literature. J Med Case Rep 2024; 18:252. [PMID: 38762485 PMCID: PMC11102623 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-024-04569-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic Crohn's disease is a rare disorder characterized by various granulomatous skin lesions that occur independently of gastrointestinal tract involvement. However, currently there is no standardized care or specific treatment. Therapeutic approaches include immunosuppressive agents, such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, and monoclonal antibodies targeting inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor (TNF). CASE PRESENTATION We present a case of a 29-year-old western European woman with significant blind ending abdominal subcutaneous fistulas and abscesses, who sought evaluation in the dermatology department. Histological examination revealed multiple epithelioid cell granulomas. There was no evidence of infectious or rheumatologic diseases such as sarcoidosis. The tentative diagnosis was metastatic Crohn's disease, which was not related to an intestinal manifestation of the disease. The patient responded to infliximab but had to discontinue it due to an allergic reaction. Subsequent adalimumab treatment failed to induce clinical remission; thus, therapy was switched to ustekinumab, resulting in a positive response. Written informed consent for publication of their clinical details and clinical images was obtained from the patient. For our study more than 1600 publications were screened for cases of metastatic Crohn's disease on PubMed database. 59 case reports with 171 patients were included in the analysis and evaluated for localization, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and complications and were summarized in this review. CONCLUSION The successful ustekinumab treatment of a patient with metastatic Crohn's disease underscores the potential of this minimally investigated therapeutic option, highlighting the need for future treatment guidelines given the increasing prevalence of such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Elger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Johanna Loibl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Haferkamp
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jens Werner
- Department of Visceral Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Drexler
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hohenleutner
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Guelow
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Kunst
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Arne Kandulski
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Pia Goeggelmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martina Mueller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hauke Christian Tews
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
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Iida T, Hida T, Matsuura M, Uhara H, Nakase H. Current clinical issue of skin lesions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Clin J Gastroenterol 2019; 12:501-510. [PMID: 30838512 DOI: 10.1007/s12328-019-00958-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a number of extraintestinal complications, including skin lesions. Most reports have shown that skin lesions are found in 10-15% of IBD cases, although this depends on the definition of skin lesions. The representative skin lesions in patients with IBD are erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum, Sweet's syndrome, and so on. These lesions are often associated with IBD progression, and intestinal lesions in particular require appropriate treatment. Recently, another clinical issue regarding skin lesions in patients with IBD, a so-called paradoxical reaction, during the treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents has emerged. These reactions are termed paradoxical reactions because the skin lesions sometimes resemble psoriasis, although the anti-TNF-α agents have been historically used to treat psoriasis. Paradoxical reactions are reportedly found in approximately 5-10% of patients using anti-TNF-α agents and are no longer rare. Now that the use of biologics is at its culmination, reports regarding paradoxical reactions are predicted to increase in number; thus, we must recognize skin lesions with IBD patients including this type of adverse events and manage them appropriately while consulting with dermatologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Iida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tokimasa Hida
- Department of Dermatology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Minoru Matsuura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hisashi Uhara
- Department of Dermatology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nakase
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Vulval Crohn's disease (VCD) is a rare extraintestinal cutaneous manifestation of Crohn's disease. No consensus on the diagnostic workup and therapeutic management of this condition has been provided in the current literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective, multicentre descriptive case series of female patients diagnosed and treated with VCD. By chart review, data on initial symptoms, clinical courses, histologic findings and therapeutic management were collected. RESULTS Fifteen female patients with a median age of 28 years (interquartile range: 28-44 years) suffering from Crohn's disease of the ileum (27%), colon (33%) and ileocolon (40%) were included. VCD manifested most frequently with vulval swelling (93%), pain (80%) and erythema (73%). Histologic analysis demonstrated granulomatous inflammation in 78% and a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate in 67% of cases. In eight (53%) cases, topical therapy resulted in temporary reduction of vulval symptoms. Combotreatment with immunosuppressive agents and tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors was the most effective second-line therapy: five (33%) patients achieved sustained clinical remission with this therapeutic strategy. CONCLUSION The diagnostic workup of VCD is challenging and should be approached in a multidisciplinary manner. Histopathologic analysis of the vulva supports the diagnosis. Topical therapy and systemic treatment with immunosuppressive agents and tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors are advised to treat this condition.
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