Malignant histiocytosis of the intestine simulating Crohn's disease. Report of a case.

Abstract

We report a case of malignant histiocytosis of the intestine (MHI) in which clinical and small bowel barium examination led to an initial diagnosis of Crohn's disease. The patient's symptoms and radiologic features improved dramatically with steroid therapy, and the patient remained free of severe symptoms for five years; at this stage, massive rectal bleeding occurred and segmental ileal resection was performed. Pathology findings of the resected specimen revealed nonspecific ulceration of the ileum. The correct diagnosis, MHI, became apparent six months after surgical intervention, on the appearance of multiple lymphadenopathy.