Abstract | BACKGROUND & AIMS: METHODS: The medical records and histological material of 9 patients (mean age, 45.7 +/- 5.9 years) who presented with severe chronic diarrhea without specific diagnosis after extensive investigations were reviewed. RESULTS: Endoscopically, the duodenum and proximal jejunum were inflamed in 6 of 7 patients, with superficial ulcerations in 5 patients. On histology, the lamina propria was infiltrated by polymorphonuclear and chronic inflammatory cells, with varying degrees of villous atrophy. There were no significant cellular abnormalities of the epithelial enterocytes. A similar inflammatory infiltrate was present in the colon in 4 or 5 patients. Eight of 9 patients responded to corticosteroids with clinical and variable histological improvement. Four patients developed bleeding from ulcerations in the small or large intestine. Three patients died: 1 patient who did not respond to treatment with corticosteroids and 2 patients with systemic infection. Four of the 6 surviving patients required maintenance low-dose corticosteroid therapy. No underlying disease was discovered during prolonged follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic nongranulomatous enterocolitis may present as a primary, frequently fatal disease. Corticosteroid therapy provides immediate benefit and may be required indefinitely.
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Authors | E A Ruan, R A Komorowski, W J Hogan, K H Soergel |
Journal | Gastroenterology
(Gastroenterology)
Vol. 111
Issue 3
Pg. 629-37
(Sep 1996)
ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8780567
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adrenal Cortex Hormones
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Adult
- Aged
- Biopsy
- Chronic Disease
- Enterocolitis
(drug therapy, pathology, physiopathology)
- Female
- Humans
- Intestines
(pathology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Treatment Outcome
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