2023 Volume 65 Issue 7 Pages 1232-1238
A 50-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 who hospitalized for chronic diarrhea was transferred to our hospital for evaluation of small intestinal dilatation and thickening. Transoral double-balloon enteroscopy revealed jejunal dilatation and suppressed peristalsis; however, mucosal inflammation, such as ulcers or erosions were not detected. Transanal double-balloon enteroscopy detected the intestinal stenosis with inflammatory polyps and a longitudinal ulcer. Histopathological evaluation of duodenal, jejunal, and ileal specimens by biopsy revealed ganglion cells and Schwannian cells; therefore, the patient was diagnosed with ganglioneuromatosis with neurofibromatosis type 1. Small intestinal dilatation was associated with suppressed peristalsis caused by ganglioneuromatosis and was diagnosed as secondary chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Abdominal distention persisted despite conservative therapy. However, she remained asymptomatic, and oral intake remained unaffected. Ganglioneuromatosis is rare; however, clinicians should be mindful that ganglioneuromatosis is an abdominal complication associated with systemic disease such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B.
