Eosinophilic ascites: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Abstract

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the dominant layer of infiltration it is classified into three types namely, mucosal, muscularis and subserosal. The most uncommon variant is the subserosal type characterized by primarily subserosal disease, eosinophilic ascites and peripheral hypereosinophilia. The clinical features are non-specific with history of atopic predisposition and allergy. Endoscopic biopsy is frequently non-diagnostic due to an uninvolved gastrointestinal mucosa rendering its diagnosis a challenge. The mainstay of diagnosis is peripheral hypereosinophilia and eosinophil-rich ascitic fluid on diagnostic paracentesis. Oral steroid therapy is usually the first line of treatment with dramatic response. Due to a propensity for relapse, steroid-sparing therapy should be considered for relapses of EGE. We report a case of subserosal EGE with diagnostic clinical features and treatment response and review the current strategy in the management of eosinophilic ascites.

Key Words: Gastrointestinal, Atopy, Eosinophilic ascites, Endoscopic biopsy, Eosinophilia

Core tip: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare condition and the diagnosis of subserosal EGE is challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms and signs and frequently non-diagnostic biopsy on gastrointestinal endoscopy. This review describes a patient with typical findings of peripheral hypereosinophilia and eosinophilic ascites and outlines the current strategy in the diagnosis and treatment of subserosal EGE.

INTRODUCTION

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare and potentially fatal condition with clinico-pathologic characteristics of peripheral hypereosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. It is classified into three pathologic types depending on the dominant gastrointestinal layer of eosinophilic infiltration[1]. The subserosal type characterized by primarily subserosal disease and eosinophilic ascites is the rarest presentation of EGE[2,3]. Biopsy of the mucosal layer obtained during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy frequently fails to diagnose subserosal EGE. The diagnosis of subserosal EGE is challenging because of its rarity, nonspecific clinical presentation and non-diagnostic endoscopy. This study presents the typical clinico-pathologic and radiologic findings in subserosal EGE and reviews the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in patients with abdominal pain, ascites and peripheral hypereosinophilia.

CASE REPORT

A 35-year-old female presented to the clinic with complaints of abdominal distension and an episode of self-limiting diarrhea three weeks ago. She admitted to the recent use of green tea and increased consumption of nuts in her diet. Past medical history was remarkable for recurrent allergic bronchitis. On examination there was no evidence of pallor, icterus or peripheral edema and abdominal examination revealed moderate distention with a doughy consistency. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated moderate ascites with no signs of portal hypertension, liver or renal disease. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography confirmed the presence of free peritoneal fluid, diffuse circumferential thickening of small bowel loops, distal stomach and esophagus (Figure 1). Laboratory examination revealed peripheral eosinophilic leukocytosis with 52% eosinophils (total leukocyte count 22900 cells/mm³) and no immature myeloid precursors. The C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and IgE levels were within normal limits. Tumor marker CA-125 was normal. Skin prick test results for food allergens and stool examination for bacteria, ova and parasites were negative. Diagnostic paracentesis was moderately cellular with 100% eosinophils, negative for malignant cells and sterile (Figure 2). Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy demonstrated mild erythema of the gastric antrum with an unremarkable esophagus, duodenum, colon and terminal ileum. Histology revealed a mild inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria of the gastric antrum and duodenum comprising of lymphocytes, plasma cells and scattered eosinophils (Figure 3). Echocardiographic findings were normal. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showed hypercellularity with a marked increase in mature eosinophils without blasts. The findings confirmed a diagnosis of subserosal EGE.

Figure 1 Findings on contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography. A: Sagittal section demonstrates thickened loops of small bowel (arrow); B: Coronal image demonstrates free peritoneal fluid (arrow), thickened loops of small bowel and circumferential mural thickening of the distal stomach (heavy arrow).

Figure 2 Diagnostic paracentesis demonstrates ascitic fluid rich in eosinophils (arrow), magnification 10 ×. Inset, eosinophils in ascitic fluid, May Grunwald Giemsa, magnification 100 ×.

Figure 3 Endoscopic biopsy of gastric mucosa demonstrates scattered eosinophils (arrows) in the lamina propria. Hematoxylin and eosin, magnification 40 ×.

The patient was treated with oral prednisone 25 mg daily with rapid symptomatic improvement and normalization of the hypereosinophilia within a week of initiation of steroid therapy. Four months after the weaning of steroids, follow-up abdominal computed tomography demonstrated complete resolution of the peritoneal fluid and bowel wall thickening. Two years after completion of therapy, the patient remains asymptomatic and free of ascites or hypereosinophilia.

DISCUSSION

EGE is a rare disease with an estimated prevalence of 28/100000 in United States[4]. Klein et al[1] classified EGE into three types based on the dominant layer of eosinophilic infiltration (1) predominant mucosal disease characterized by iron deficiency anemia, protein-losing enteropathy and malabsorption; (2) predominant muscle layer disease characterized by localized or diffuse thickening of the bowel wall with features of pyloric narrowing and obstructive symptoms; and (3) predominant subserosal disease characterized by eosinophil-rich ascites[1-5]. Mucosal EGE is the most common type (70%) followed by muscularis (20%) and subserosal (10%)[6,7]. EGE may also present with obstructive jaundice due to biliary tract involvement or extraintestinal manifestations such as eosinophilic cystitis, eosinophilic splenitis and hepatitis[7-9].

Talley et al[10] have defined three diagnostic criteria for EGE (1) presence of gastrointestinal symptoms; (2) biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract showing eosinophilic infiltration or characteristic radiologic findings with peripheral eosinophilia or eosinophil-rich ascites with; and (3) no evidence of parasitic or extraintestinal disease. Characteristic findings of EGE on abdominal computed tomography include thickening of bowel wall or fold, layering of the bowel wall, luminal narrowing without obstruction, intra- or extral-uminal granuloma, mesenteric lymphadenopathy with peripheral rim-like enhancement or necrosis and ascites[11]. The etiology of EGE is unclear however, an atopic predisposition is noted in patients with EGE with a history of allergy reported in 50% patients with EGE[10]. A genetic predisposition is suspected as 16% of patients with EGE have a family member with a similar condition[9]. The majority of the patients diagnosed with EGE are 20-50 years of age with no reported gender predisposition[3].

The differential diagnosis of eosinophilic ascites includes parasitic infection (Stronglyloides stercoralis, Toxocara canis), abdominal tuberculosis, rupture of hydatid cyst, chronic pancreatitis, vasculitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome), hypereosinophilic syndrome, malignancy and Crohn’s disease[12]. The diagnosis of subserosal EGE remains challenging because of its rarity and non-specific clinical features. The most common clinical features include abdominal pain (90.4%), nausea and vomiting (57.1%), diarrhea (52.3%) and abdominal distension (38.1%)[13]. It should be considered in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with abdominal pain, ascites and peripheral hypereosinophilia and a high index of suspicion should be maintained by the physician[3]. The mainstay of diagnosis of subserosal EGE is confirmation of eosinophil-rich ascitic fluid on diagnostic paracentesis and peripheral hypereosinophilia.

The overall prognosis of EGE is good with an excellent response to oral steroids comprising the first line of therapy[2]. Prednisone 20-40 mg daily in divided doses is highly effective with symptomatic remission in 80% patients within a week and normalization of eosinophil counts within two weeks of initiation of therapy[13]. Other medical therapy includes antihistaminic drugs, sodium cromoglycate, montelukast and ketotifen[2,12,14,15]. Ketotifen an antihistaminic drug and mast cell stabilizer has been used to successfully treat eosinophilic ascites as the sole therapeutic intervention. Casella et al[15] recommend ketotifen as the first-line approach to eosinophilic ascites because it is a relatively inexpensive and safe drug. Surgical intervention is rare and reserved for patients with obstructive complications[2,3]. The clinical course may be characterized by periods of remission and relapses usually when the steroid therapy is discontinued in up to 50% patients[14]. Steroid-sparing therapy with anti-histamines, mast cell inhibitors, leukotriene receptor antagonists, anti-interleukin drugs including ketotifen is useful in the treatment of relapses to avoid the side-effects of steroids[12,15]. In rare cases of failure to respond to steroid therapy, total parenteral nutrition or immunosuppressive agents including oral azathioprine or cyclophosphamide may be added to the steroid regimen in patients with diffuse mucosal disease[5].

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

A 35-year-old female presented with abdominal distension and diarrhea and was diagnosed with subserosal eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE). She responded to oral steroid therapy with complete resolution of the ascites and normalization of peripheral hypereosinophilia.

Clinical diagnosis

Subserosal EGE.

Differential diagnosis

Ovarian cancer, abdominal tuberculosis, vasculitis, parasitic infection, congestive heart failure.

Laboratory diagnosis

Peripheral hypereosinophilia and eosinophil-rich fluid on diagnostic paracentesis.

Imaging diagnosis

Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated moderate ascites with diffuse wall thickening of the small bowel.

Pathological diagnosis

Mucosal biopsy of the stomach and duodenum on upper endoscopy was non-diagnostic.

Treatment

Oral steroid therapy.

Experiences and lessons

A high index of suspicion of subserosal EGE in patients with abdominal pain, ascites and peripheral hypereosinophilia. Oral steroids adequate for initial therapy and ketotifen may be considered for relapse of EGE.

Peer-review

The manuscript deals with a case report and a review on an important condition and is well written.