Neutropenic enterocolitis: a rare presenting complication of acute leukemia

Am J Hematol. 2001 Mar;66(3):213-9. doi: 10.1002/1096-8652(200103)66:3<213::aid-ajh1047>3.0.co;2-o.

Abstract

Neutropenic enterocolitis is a necrotizing inflammatory process with intramural infection that occurs predominantly in neutropenic patients. This syndrome is most frequently observed after chemotherapy for hematologic and solid tissue malignancies, but it can also be observed in a number of other clinical settings as well. Neutropenic enterocolitis can be a rare presenting complication of acute leukemia. We report a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia that presented with abdominal pain due to neutropenic enterocolitis. The diagnostic and treatment challenges associated with this manner of presentation are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Appendix / pathology
  • Cecum / pathology
  • Colon / pathology
  • Edema
  • Enterocolitis / etiology*
  • Enterocolitis / pathology
  • Enterocolitis / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ileum / pathology
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Necrosis
  • Neutropenia / complications*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / surgery