Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Causing Gastro- intestinal Obstruction

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder is uncommon and it has rarely been reported. The presence of increased numbers of eosinophils in the biopsy specimens of the gastrointestinal tract, the infiltration of eosionophils in intestinal crypts and gastric glands, the absence of involvement of other organs and the exclusion of other causes of eosinophilia support the diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. This is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal wall, and it’s associated with protein-losing enteropathy, hypoalbuminemia, motility abnormalities and ascites. Although it is an idiopathic disorder, allergic and immunologic etiologies have been suggested. Steroid is the treatment of choice, but an operation is necessary in case of a surgical abdomen or if the patient is refractory to steroid therapy. Recently, authors experience 2 cases of eosinophilic gastroenteritis causing gastro-intestinal obstruction, and report here with clinical evaluation and literature review. (J Korean Surg Soc 2007;72:491-495)