New-onset hypercholesterolemia as an unusual presenting manifestation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

ABSTRACT

We describe an unusual case of new-onset hypercholesterolemia in a 28-year-old man. The presence of low serum albumin and hypercholesterolemia established the suspicion of gastrointestinal disease. Technetium-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid scintigraphy was performed to identify possible protein-losing enteropathy. The results were consistent with eosinophilic gastroenteritis, a rare disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration that may involve several digestive tract layers. To our knowledge, this is the first time that hypercholesterolemia has been recognizing as the presenting manifestation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The patient has been successfully treated with prednisone and budesonide. Hypercholesterolemia may be an early manifestation of a serious underlying disease, among which eosinophilic gastroenteritis should also be considered.