A rare cause of abdominal pain, diarrhoea and GI bleeding

Question A 62-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and diarrhoea. She had a history of primary biliary cirrhosis and renal transplantation secondary to reflux nephropathy. Cross-sectional imaging and a colonoscopy demonstrated terminal ileal inflammation and ulceration, but histological biopsies were inconclusive and cytomegalovirus staining was negative. The patient subsequently developed spontaneous small bowel perforation due to deep ulceration, necessitating an emergency right hemicolectomy. Her postoperative period was complicated by several episodes of rectal bleeding. After a prolonged admission at her local hospital, the patient was referred to our unit for further management. On arrival, the patient's immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus and low-dose prednisolone. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) had been discontinued prior to transfer due to concerns that MMF toxicity was the cause of her ileal disease. Laboratory evaluation revealed a haemoglobin of 83 g/L with a raised C-reactive protein (21 mg/L). CT angiography showed no active bleeding despite clinical evidence of...
Source: Gut - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: GUT Snapshot Editor ' s quiz: GI snapshot Source Type: research