[Successful treatment of duodenal Crohn disease with infliximab: report of 3 cases].

ABSTRACT

We present 3 patients with Crohn disease (CD) of the duodenum with progressive symptoms. A 31-year-old man with Crohn ileocolitis presented epigastralgia. A 32-year-old man with Crohn ileocolitis presented upper GI bleeding. In both patients, endoscopy revealed duodenal stenosis. A 33-year-old man was given a diagnosis of CD by gastroduodenal endoscopy. They received an infliximab infusion and had symptomatic relief and macroscopic healings without any adverse effects. Several treatments for upper GI lesions of the CD patients have been tried, but there is no high-quality level evidence-based data to guide the medical management of gastroduodenal CD. Our experience with 3 patients suggests that infliximab is a safe and effective treatment for duodenal CD and it may be appropriate for early use to avoid surgery or balloon dilatation.