Clinical and morphological features of serosal form of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a retrospective study of 10 children

Abstract

Background: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is an increasingly recognized inflammatory disease characterized by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and eosinophilic infiltration of the GI tract. Serosal form is one subtype of EG. The aetiology and pathogenesis of EG are unknown and the diagnosis and treatment properly are difficult for physician. Methods: A retrospective study of 10 paediatric patients (mean age 10.8 years) was performed to review records of medical, endoscopic, ultrasonographic findings and histological features. Results: All the cases presented abdominal pain symptom in this study. Supra-umbilical pain was the main location of pain. The pain intensity of cases was from mild to moderate. Vomiting and diarrhoea may also be found. All the cases manifested as peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic ascites (EA) detected by ultrasonograph and ascetic fluid white cell differential count were analysed. Erythema was the predominate feature seen on endoscopy. Histologic examination showed patchy eosinophilic infiltration in the GI tract in all patients. Symptom remission within 1 week and ascites absorbed within 2–3 weeks in all the patients treated with steroids. Conclusion: Serosal form of EG affects paediatric patients as well as adults, which can be diagnosed early and correctly through realising the character of the disease. Histopathology is the gold standard for diagnosis. Corticosteroids are the first line therapy.

Keywords: :

• children
• clinical
• endoscope
• eosinophilic gastroenteritis
• histology
• serosal form
• treatment