Evaluation of the patient with suspected eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2009 Feb;29(1):53-63, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2008.09.002.

Abstract

This article focuses on the evaluation and management of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases other than eosinophilic esophagitis. Those diseases include eosinophilic gastritis, gastroenteritis, enteritis, and colitis. The diagnosis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease is primarily dependent on the clinical history and histopathology of multiple biopsy specimens after ruling out other causes of intestinal eosinophilia. The diagnosis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases other than eosinophilic esophagitis is complicated by the lack of uniformly accepted diagnostic criteria. Treatment involves evaluation for food sensitivity, elimination diets, and the use of anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory medications with varying degrees of success. Little is known about the natural history of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, underscoring the need for long-term follow-up studies of patients with these disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endoscopy
  • Eosinophilia / complications
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis*
  • Eosinophilia / pathology
  • Eosinophilia / physiopathology*
  • Eosinophilia / therapy
  • Food Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Food, Formulated
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / complications
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Physical Examination

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents