Labor-associated eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Abstract

A 30-year-old woman who was 2 weeks postpartum presented with intermittent dysphagia since delivery. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed linear furrowing, trachealization, and a B-type distal esophageal ring with normal appearing stomach and duodenum. Biopsies showed eosinophilic esophagitis. Over 3 weeks, she developed severe midepigastric pain. Laboratory studies revealed an elevated absolute eosinophil count of 990/dL (normal 0-450/dL), and a computed tomography scan showed proximal jejunal thickening. Repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed gastric erythema and edema of the duodenal mucosa. Biopsies revealed greater than 50 eosinophils per high power field in the intraepithelial mucosa with extension into the muscularis and serosa, consistent with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG). EG represents an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by gastrointestinal symptoms, eosinophilic infiltration in one or more areas of the gastrointestinal tract, and absence of parasitic or extraintestinal disease. Approximately 300 cases have been reported since 1937. This case contains two unique aspects. First, the clinical and endoscopic progression of gastrointestinal eosinophilic disease from the esophagus to the stomach and small bowel was chronologically documented. This proximal to distal luminal progression has not been previously reported. The possible link to her pregnancy is also notable as only two previous cases of labor-associated EG have been published.