Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: a diagnosis behind the curtains

Preliminary evidence in treatment of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in children: A case series

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare inflammatory disorder in children. However, there is still no standard guideline in the treatment of pediatric eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

AIM

To report our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of children with eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

METHODS

From January 2017 to December 2019, a total of 22 children were diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

RESULTS

Endoscopic examination showed eosinophil infiltration in the duodenum [mean number of eosinophils/high-power field (HPF) = 53.1 ± 81.5], stomach (mean number of eosinophils/HPF = 36.8 ± 50.5), and terminal ileum (mean number of eosinophils/HPF = 49.0 ± 24.0). All 18 children with low eosinophil infiltration (< 14%) responded well to the initial drug treatment without relapse, while two of four children with high eosinophil infiltration (> 14%) relapsed after initial methylprednisolone/montelukast treatment. In addition, children with high eosinophil infiltration (> 14%) showed symptomatic relief and histological remission without further relapse after receiving budesonide/methylprednisolone as initial or relapse treatment.

CONCLUSION

Methylprednisolone/montelukast is still the best treatment for children with low eosinophil infiltration (< 14%). Budesonide can be considered as the initial or relapse treatment for children with high eosinophil infiltration (> 14%).

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in small intestine in a child in a remote medical centre required surgery

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Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in small intestine in a child which was treated with surgery.

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First study in a child in the Middle East and Levantine.

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Was diagnosed in a remote centre which emphasise the importance of communication between centres.

Introduction

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is an extremely rare disease of unknown aetiology that can occur at any age, but rarely in children. It usually presents with ambiguous abdominal pain and the symptoms can occur for years before diagnosis. It needs a high suspicion and therefore misdiagnosis can occur.

Presentation of case

We present a case of three-and-a-half year old girl who had a complicated EGE but was misdiagnosed as no proper consult was available as she presented in a remote medical centre. She had 50 cm from her small intestine dissected as micro abscesses and a necrotic mass of 3.5*2.5 cm were observed.

Discussion

EGE is usually managed medically. However, the patient’s condition was complicated and surgery was indicated. However, if proper diagnosis was made, conservative surgery would be the proper management as this case tends to improve with steroids.

Conclusions

Medical centres in remote areas should have a way to discuss atypical cases with a skilled consultant even when urgent as surgery indication can completely differ. This is the first case reported in the region with EGE in a child which can justify the difficulty in diagnosis as it is quite rare and have not been reported previously in the region which can lead to futuristic misdiagnosis.

Milk-sensitive eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a 2-month-old boy

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease of unknown aetiology, characterised by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal wall with various gastrointestinal manifestations. Clinical presentation and radiological findings are non-specific and there is an overlap with more frequent childhood diseases requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion for accurate diagnosis. We describe a 2-month-old boy with prolonged diarrhoea, vomiting and food refusal. Diagnosis was settled by histology. The treatment with elemental diet was successful, with clinical resolution and catch-up growth.

Eosinophilic jejunitis presenting as intractable abdominal pain

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an uncommon disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical manifestations are related to the layer(s) and extent of the bowel involved. In this paper, we present a case of intractable abdominal pain caused by jejunal submucosal eosinophilic infiltration without mucosal involvement, diagnosed by deep endoscopic biopsies. The patient was successfully treated with steroids without need for surgery for diagnosis or therapy.