Eosinophilic enteritis presenting as acute intestinal obstruction: a case report and review of the literature.

A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. His abdomen was distended, and there was diffuse tenderness and guarding in all four quadrants. Laboratory examinations revealed leukocytosis without eosinophilia. Abdominal radiograph revealed air-fluid levels in the small intestine. Computed tomography confirmed a dilatation of the small intestine and the presence of ascites. An emergency laparotomy was performed for a diagnosis of peritonitis due to intestinal obstruction. A large amount of yellow transudate was present in the abdominal cavity. An area of induration in the ileum was identified about 40 cm from the ileocecal valve. The ileum proximal to the induration was dilated, and the site of obstruction seemed to be the indurated segment. A partial iliectomy was performed. Histologically, dense infiltration of eosinophils was found transmurally, and eosinophilic enteritis was diagnosed. One year later, the patient was free of gastrointestinal symptoms. The relevant literature on eosinophilic gastroenteritis is discussed. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel