Eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites at Children’s Hospital No.2: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

EGE is a rare disorder presenting with a cluster of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with eosinophils histological infiltration. This disease was first described by Kaiser in 1937. The prevalence of EGE in the United States is estimated to be 22 to 28 per 100,000 persons. EGE usually occurs between 20 and 50 years of age, but recently it has been shown to manifest in children. EGE can affect the entire digestive tract from the stomach to the colon. The clinical features of EGE are related to the affected gastrointestinal tract segment and the degree of eosinophil infiltration. Pathogenesis of the disorder is still unclear. It is hypothesised that there is a role for IgE-mediated immunity and T-lymphocyte (Th2)-mediated immunity. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a digestive disorder marked by eosinophilic infiltration in the stomach and intestine, affecting both children and adults. It is categorized into mucosal, muscularis, and subserosa types based on the dominant layer of infiltration. The subserosa type often manifests with ascites, accompanied by symptoms resembling intestinal obstruction. Ascites in EGE is characterized by significant eosinophilia in ascitic fluid. While EGE with ascites mimicking appendicitis and peritonitis is uncommon in pediatric patients, this publication seeks to present a case series detailing EGE’s clinical features, treatment responses, and a review of current management strategies for eosinophilic ascites. Understanding the diverse presentations and responses to treatment is crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy and enhancing therapeutic approaches in EGE cases with ascites, contributing valuable insights to the medical community’s knowledge base.