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Review
. 2021 Jan 11;14(1):e238802.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-238802.

Protein-losing enteropathy as precursor of inflammatory bowel disease: a review of the literature

Fritz Ruprecht Murray  1 , Bernhard Morell  2 , Luc Biedermann  2 , Philipp Schreiner  2
Affiliations
Review

Protein-losing enteropathy as precursor of inflammatory bowel disease: a review of the literature

Fritz Ruprecht Murray et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

We report the case of a 63-year-old female patient with liver cirrhosis who presented with symptoms of severe hypoalbuminaemia and diarrhoea. After ruling out other causes of hypoalbuminaemia and confirmation of an elevated faecal α-1 antitrypsin clearance, the diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) could be established. Since PLE is a syndrome caused by various diseases, classified into erosive and non-erosive gastrointestinal diseases or lymphatic obstruction, an extensive work-up was necessary, establishing the final diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; endoscopy; general practice / family medicine; inflammatory bowel disease; malabsorption.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Thickened bowel wall as a sign for ileitis in bowel ultrasound.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ulcerations in the terminal ileum during capsule endoscopy.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Surgical sample. (A) Chronic transmural inflammation with crypt architectural distortion and transmural lymphoid aggregates; (B) same image in higher resolution showing acute ulcerative inflammation with aphthoid lesion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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