Eosinophilic colitis is a rare disease that is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration in the colon wall in symptomatic patients. Thus far, the epidemiology and pathophysiology of eosinophilic colitis have not been well defined, but the hypersensitivity response is likely to play a role in its pathogenesis. The clinical presentation of eosinophilic colitis is usually nonspecific and depends on the layer of the intestinal wall affected by the eosinophilic infiltrate. Eosinophilic colitis is diagnosed generally by exclusion, i.e., after all other causes of eosinophilic infiltration have been excluded. Although there is no consensus over its diagnostic criteria, the laboratory results and radiology and endoscopy findings can provide important diagnostic evidence. This paper reports a case of eosinophilic colitis presenting as subepithelial tumor-like lesions in a 41-year-old man with the chief complaints of abdominal pain and loose stools. The patient had no diseases and no food or drug allergies in his medical history. In general, the endoscopic findings of eosinophilic colitis can vary from a normal mucosa to frank ulcerations. In this case, however, endoscopy revealed subepithelial tumor-like lesions. The colon biopsy showed eosinophilic infiltration in the lamina propria. The patient was treated with steroids, and his symptoms regressed with no signs of relapse.

Eosinophilic colitis is a rare disease that is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration in the colon wall in symptomatic patients. Thus far, the epidemiology and pathophysiology of eosinophilic colitis have not been well defined, but the hypersensitivity response is likely to play a role in its pathogenesis. The clinical presentation of eosinophilic colitis is usually nonspecific and depends on the layer of the intestinal wall affected by the eosinophilic infiltrate. Eosinophilic colitis is diagnosed generally by exclusion, i.e., after all other causes of eosinophilic infiltration have been excluded. Although there is no consensus over its diagnostic criteria, the laboratory results and radiology and endoscopy findings can provide important diagnostic evidence. This paper reports a case of eosinophilic colitis presenting as subepithelial tumor-like lesions in a 41-year-old man with the chief complaints of abdominal pain and loose stools. The patient had no diseases and no food or drug allergies in his medical history. In general, the endoscopic findings of eosinophilic colitis can vary from a normal mucosa to frank ulcerations. In this case, however, endoscopy revealed subepithelial tumor-like lesions. The colon biopsy showed eosinophilic infiltration in the lamina propria. The patient was treated with steroids, and his symptoms regressed with no signs of relapse.

In rodents, the circumvallate papilla (CVP), with its underlying minor salivary gland, the von Ebners' gland (VEG), is located on the dorsal surface of the posterior tongue. Detailed morphological processes to form the proper structure of CVP and VEG have not been properly elucidated. In particular, the specific localization patterns of taste buds in CVP and the branching formation of VEG have not yet been elucidated. To understand the developmental mechanisms underlying CVP and VEG formation, detailed histological observations of CVP and VEG were examined using a three-dimensional computer-aided reconstruction method with serial histological sections and pan-Cytokeratins immunostainings. In addition, to define the developmental processes in CVP and VEG formation, we examined nerve innervations and cell proliferation using microinjections of AM1-43 and immunostainings with various markers, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase, Ki-67, PGP9.5, and Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (UEA1). Results revealed specific morphogenesis of CVP and VEG with nerve innervations patterns, evaluated by the coincided localization patterns of AM1-43 and UEA1. Based on these morphological and immunohistochemical results, we suggest that nerve innervations and cell proliferations play important roles in the positioning of taste buds in CVP and branching morphogenesis of VEG in tongue development.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Mice ; Microinjections ; Morphogenesis ; Rodentia ; Salivary Glands, Minor ; Taste Buds ; Tongue ; Ulex ; von Ebner Glands

Background/Aims: A full colonoscopy is currently required in children and adolescents with colorectal polyps, because of their potential of neoplastic transformation and complications such as intussusception. We aimed to analyze the associations of polyp characteristics in children and adolescents with colorectal polyps. Based on these findings, we also aimed to reevaluate the necessity of conducting a full colonoscopy. Methods: Pediatric patients <18 years of age who had undergone a colonoscopic polypectomy and those with <5 colorectal polyps were included in this multicenter, retrospective study. Baseline clinicodemographics, colonoscopic and histologic findings were investigated. Results: A total of 91 patients were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that polyp size was the only factor associated with the presence of any polyps located proximal to the splenic flexure (odds ratio [OR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28 to 4.28; p=0.007). Furthermore, polyp location proximal to the splenic flexure and sessile morphology were associated with the presence of any adenomatous polyp (OR, 8.51; 95% CI, 1.43 to 68.65; p=0.023; OR, 18.41; 95% CI, 3.45 to 173.81; p=0.002, respectively). Conclusions In children and adolescents presenting with <5 colorectal polyps, polyp size and the presence of any adenomatous polyp were positively associated with polyp location proximal to the splenic flexure. This finding supports the necessity of a full colonoscopic exam in pediatric patients with colorectal polyps for the detection of polyps before the occurrence of complications such as intussusception or neoplastic transformation.