Eosinophilic gastroenteritis--a diagnostic enigma.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a heterogeneous and curable disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The diagnosis is rare, with an approximate incidence of 1/100,000. The pathophysiology is based on infiltration of the eosinophils involving various parts of gastrointestinal system, but also different layers of the wall. The authors present a case of the eosinophilic gastroenteritis, which is characterised by the predominant subserosal type associated with asthma, ascites and bilateral pleural effusion. In patients with asthma and abdominal symptomatology, eosinophilic gastroenteritis should be considered as a possible diagnosis. These two atopic conditions may occur more frequently than generally expected, especially in the presence of protein-losing gastroenteropathy. ▸ Consider a diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in patients with atopy and gastrointestinal symptoms. ▸ Histological demonstration of the gastrointestinal tract and/or ascites. ▸ Exclude other causes of eosinophilia such as parasites, Churg-Strauss syndrome, hypereosinophilic syndrome.