Eosinophilic Colitis: A Rare Cause of Diarrhea

Authors' Affiliations

Annemarie Phemister, Graduate Student-Doctoral, Medical Student, Lincoln Memorial University- Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Knoxville, TN Abbey Hinton, Graduate Student-Doctoral, Medical Student, Lincoln Memorial University- Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Knoxville, TN Lauren Phemister, Graduate Student-Doctoral, Medical Student, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

Location

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Start Date

4-5-2024 9:00 AM

End Date

4-5-2024 11:30 AM

Poster Number

29

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Erin Hood

Faculty Sponsor's Department

Internal Medicine

Classification of First Author

Clinical Doctoral Student

Competition Type

Competitive

Type

Poster Presentation

Presentation Category

Health

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Eosinophilic colitis is a rare cause of diarrhea. It is a T-cell mediated (non-IgE) reaction that activates cells to release cytokines and potential mediators causing elevated eosinophils in the colon causing injury and inflammation. A case of a 69-year-old female with a past medical history of diabetes, anxiety, depression, and hyperlipidemia presents with acute abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Labs demonstrate mildly elevated lipase and complete metabolic panel within normal limits. Imaging of abdominal ultrasound shows hepatic steatosis with hepatomegaly. Initial treatment of Reglan, omeprazole, and Levsin did not improve symptoms. Further workup of small intestine endoscopic biopsy demonstrated scattered eosinophils throughout gastric biopsy with intense focal eosinophilia involving crypt abscesses as well. Based on pathologic findings, she was promptly treated with oral steroids and improved. This case demonstrates the patient presentation and workup for the diagnosis of eosinophilic colitis. This study will review the various diagnostic methods to confirm this rare condition.

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Apr 5th, 9:00 AM Apr 5th, 11:30 AM

Eosinophilic Colitis: A Rare Cause of Diarrhea

D.P. Culp Center Ballroom

Eosinophilic colitis is a rare cause of diarrhea. It is a T-cell mediated (non-IgE) reaction that activates cells to release cytokines and potential mediators causing elevated eosinophils in the colon causing injury and inflammation. A case of a 69-year-old female with a past medical history of diabetes, anxiety, depression, and hyperlipidemia presents with acute abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Labs demonstrate mildly elevated lipase and complete metabolic panel within normal limits. Imaging of abdominal ultrasound shows hepatic steatosis with hepatomegaly. Initial treatment of Reglan, omeprazole, and Levsin did not improve symptoms. Further workup of small intestine endoscopic biopsy demonstrated scattered eosinophils throughout gastric biopsy with intense focal eosinophilia involving crypt abscesses as well. Based on pathologic findings, she was promptly treated with oral steroids and improved. This case demonstrates the patient presentation and workup for the diagnosis of eosinophilic colitis. This study will review the various diagnostic methods to confirm this rare condition.