Eosinophilic colitis presenting as a right iliac fossa mass--a case report.

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic colitis is an inflammatory condition characterized by infiltration of the colonic wall by eosinophils with submucosal oedema. Involvement of caecum, appendix, ascending colon and the omentum by the inflammatory process could mimic a right iliac fossa neoplasm.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by eosinophilic colitis and the import of histopathological diagnosis in the treatment of such a patient.

METHODS

A47-year old perimenopausal woman presented to hospital with a 6-month history of intermittent lower abdominal pain. Besides clinical evaluation, an abdominal ultrasonography and full blood count were carried out. She subsequently had exploratory laparatomy.

RESULTS

The lower abdominal pain was intermittent but not associated with vomiting or diarrhea. There was a tender right iliac mass extending to the suprapubic region. The ultrasound revealed a right-sided tubo-ovarian mass. At surgery, the mass was found to be a complex of caecum, ascending colon, appendix and the omentum. Histological diagnosis of the resected mass was eosinophilic colitis with peritonitis. She was placed on steroid therapy following a course of antihelminthics with sustained clinical improvement six months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Eosinophilic colitis is rare and could mimic a right iliac neoplasm if it is right-sided. Histopathological diagnosis of all specimens removed at surgery particularly in a peripheral district hospital is very important in patient's management.