Keimyung Medical Journal  2014;33(1):59-64

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting with Gastrointestinal Symptoms in an Adolescent.

Dong Bin KIM 1 ; Gina LIM ; Sang Kyu PARK ; Sung Ryul KIM ; Hye Jung CHOI ; Joon Sung KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Ascites; Eosinophilic gastroenteritis; Gastrointestinal tract; Hypereosinophilic syndrome; Steroid

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is defined as peripheral eosinophilia, organ involvement of eosinophils and exclusion of other disorders or dysfunction. HES is subclassified as myeloproliferative variant, T-lymphocytic, overlap, idiopathic, familial and associated type according to the new classification using molecular and immunologic markers. HES presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms is very rare but characterized by peripheral eosinophilia, eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract with other organs such as liver and bone marrow. We report a rare case of idiopathic HES in 18-year-old adolescent who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea and ascites which resolved rapidly with corticosteroid therapy. HES should be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain and ascites in children and adolescents.