Obstructive eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is a rare disease characterised by abnormal eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. We describe a case of EG presenting as an intestinal obstruction in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 54-year-old man with RA presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and vomiting. On examination, his abdomen was distended and tender. Laboratory data showed leucocytosis with raised inflammatory markers and without eosinophilia. CT revealed dilated small bowel loops, with a couple of loops forming a mass and abscess formation. Emergency laparotomy was performed with segmental resection of the ileum and side-to-side anastomosis. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of EG. The patient recovered well and was asymptomatic at the time of writing this report.