Idiopathic obstructive eosinophilic enteritis with raised IgE: response to oral disodium cromoglycate.

Introduction Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an uncommon disease characterized by peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. The bone marrow shows a reactive eosinophilia and the symptoms and signs usually reflect the layer of bowel which is most severely affected. Predominant mucosal disease may be associated with malabsorption, muscle disease with obstructive symptoms and serosal disease with ascites. Laparotomy may be necessary to substantiate a diagnosis or to relieve obstruction. Corticosteroid therapy has been the most specific medication used while elimination diets have proved unsuccessful. This report is of a patient with clinical and histological evidence of eosinophilic enteritis involving the muscularis layer of bowel which responded to oral disodium cromoglycate.