Eosinophilic cholangiopathy with concurrent eosinophilic colitis in a patient with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Jun;20(6):574-7. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e3282f1cc11.

Abstract

Eosinophilic cholangiopathy is a rare cholestatic disorder of unknown etiology. Simultaneous histologic documentation of eosinophilic involvement of the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract has been reported previously in only a few well-documented cases. We report a 52-year-old man with a history of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome who presented with acute diarrhea and cholestatic hepatitis. Colonoscopy revealed colitis, and a biopsy showed eosinophilic infiltrates in the colonic mucosa. Liver biopsy showed dense eosinophilic inflammation in the portal areas with bile duct damage. This case demonstrates the entity of hepatic involvement in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome and the difficulties related to diagnosis and treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / pathology
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / diagnosis*
  • Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / drug therapy
  • Colitis / diagnosis*
  • Colitis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisone