Eosinophilic Proctocolitis
Definition
- Predominantly pediatric proctocolitis characterized by large numbers of tissue eosinophils
Diagnostic Criteria
- Predominantly seen between birth and one year of age
- Markedly increased tissue eosinophils (>60/10 HPF)
- Predominantly located in lamina propria
- Frequently associated with lymphoid aggregates
- Lesser numbers usually present in surface and crypt epithelium and muscularis mucosae ≥1/HPF
- Crypt abscesses may be composed of a mixture of neutrophils and eosinophils
- May be segmental or diffuse
- Mild peripheral eosinophilia may be present
- Infectious causes must be ruled out
- Mimics ulcerative colitis when severe
- Chronic inflammatory infiltrate in lamina propria
- May have neutrophilic cryptitis and crypt abscesses
- Mild architectural abnormalities have been reported in severe cases
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting : November 11, 2009