Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis With Malabsorption, Acute Intestinal Obstruction, Ascites and Pleural Effusion: A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a case of a 49-year-old male patient with abdominal distension and diffuse stomach cramps associated with peripheral eosinophilia. Treatment for eosinophilic parasitosis was not effective. After a few weeks, the patient developed acute obstructive abdomen with ascites, which was atypically improved with the use of antispasmodics and analgesics. Upper digestive endoscopy, colonoscopy and histopathologic examination of the gastric and intestinal mucosa did not show any significant changes. Video laparoscopic biopsy of the mesenteric lymph node and peritoneum revealed a nonspecific chronic inflammatory process with intense diffuse tissue eosinophilia. Complementary tests revealed right-sided pleural effusion and increased serum immunoglobulin E levels, with altered D-xylose absorption test results. The patient was treated with a hypoallergenic diet and an oral corticosteroid; the symptoms resolved and the laboratory test results improved. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical presentation varies according to the affected site and the depth and extent of digestive tract involvement. This case report, which presents the rare simultaneous involvement of the mucosal, muscular and serosal layers, aims to describe and discuss the clinical and therapeutic aspects of eosinophilic gastroenteritis as well as its progression.