Enteritis cystica profunda: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Enteritis cystica profunda (ECP) is a rare benign disease first described in the colonic epithelium. This pathology is developed as cystic lesions filled with mucinous material delineated by an epithelium of columnar characteristic in the mucosa of the small intestine.

Presentation of the case: A 61-year-old patient without history of previous surgical procedures was admitted to the emergency room with one day of evolution of abdominal pain associated with anorexia, no bowel movements, multiple emetic episodes, and oral intolerance. A diagnosis of intestinal symptomatic management was performed and then a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed with intestinal resection, and primary anastomosis and the surgical specimen was obtained for histopathological study.

Discussion: ECP is a pathology whose pathophysiology is poorly understood, which is commonly accepted as the development of an ulcerative process with the consequent development of a cyst as a repair method. The final diagnosis is made through an anatomopathological study. The scarce literature suggests that this condition can be managed by surgery in order to resect the affected tissue and provide adequate primary anastomosis.

Conclusion: Enteritis cystica profunda is a rare disease associated with pathologies such as Crohn's disease. Surgery is the preferred treatment and obtaining a surgical specimen is mandatory for histopathological analysis.

Keywords: Case report; Crohn's disease; Enteritis cystica profunda; Small bowel; Surgery.

Fig. 1

Preoperative images depicting dilation of small intestinal loops. Main finding of dilatation of thin intestinal loops larger than 34 mm with images suggesting fecalization of the distal ileal loops in the left hypochondrium and thickening of its walls of approximately 6.2 mm with no signs of loop distress.

Fig. 2

Surgical specimen obtained.