Four Cases of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils into the wall of the digestive tract, and the clinical spectrum seems to depend on the predominant site of eosinophilic infiltration of the wall.<BR>We experienced four cases of EG, and two of them (Cases, 1 and 2) manifested massive ascites, suggesting the principal lesion is located on the serous coat. Case 3 manifested abdominal pain and vomiting, and muscle layer involvement of the duodenum was detected by ultrasonography and CT scan. In case 4, epigastralgia was a main symptom. An endoscopic examination revealed marked redness and erosion of the gastric mucosa associated with massive infiltration of eosinophils. In this case, mucosal involvement seemed to be the main lesion because hypertrophy of the gut wall thickness was not found by ultrasonography and CT scan.<BR>Although the pathogenesis of this disease is obscure, allergic mechanism may play an important role. Three cases had histories of allergic diseases, and steroid therapy resulted in prompt disappearance of symptoms.