[Pancreatic involvement, ascites and diarrhea in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome]

Abstract

We report a new case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome with multivisceral digestive failure. After an erroneous diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, the pathological examination of pancreaticoduodenectomy specimen demonstrated pancreatic fibrosis with eosinophilic infiltration without gastritis or duodenitis. The diagnosis of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome was made three months later upon the classical criteria: a) blood eosinophilia of 1.5 G/L or more, persisting for more than 6 months; b) lack of evidence for any other recognised cause of eosinophilia: c) multiple organ systemic involvement: rheumatologic, cutaneous and digestive (pancreatitis, ascites and diarrhoea): d) previous history of allergic disease and increased plasmatic IgE levels; e) absence of leukemic markers. This case emphasises the difficulty in classifying eosinophilic infiltration of the gut and the possibility of transitional forms between eosinophilic gastro-enteritis and idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. We argue that in case of eosinophilic infiltration of the gut, systematic research of multiple organ systemic involvement is mandatory.