A Case of Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome Presenting with Dysgeusia and Anorexia which Seemed to Have Developed after Psychological Stress

Abstract

The patient was a 78-year-old woman. Her chief complaints were dysgeusia, anorexia, weight loss, pigmentation on her hands and alopecia. She noticed dysgeusia symptoms after the insertion of artificial teeth. Because she had no abnormal dental findings, she was referred to the psychosomatic department of our hospital with consideration for her history of depression. The gastrointestinal endoscopy showed esophageal cancer in the early stage and gastrointestinal polyposis of which histological findings showed hyperplastic epithelium, edematous stroma and inflammatory cell infiltration. The colonoscopy also showed polyposis from the ascending colon through to the descending colon. These findings lead to the diagnosis of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome. She was treated with mesalazine and prednisolone accompanied by supportive psychotherapy to relieve her stress, and then recovered. Along with dysgeusia and anorexia, ectodermal disorders including skin abnormalities are often reported as the first symptoms of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome for which patients receive a medical check-up. Moreover, its development is sometimes related to psychological and/or physical stressors. In conclusion, we report a case of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome under strong psychological stress where the chief complaint was dysgeusia.