An atypical presentation of Crohn disease in the elderly. A case report and Literature review

G Chir. 2003 Apr;24(4):129-32.

Abstract

The Authors present a case of an insidious onset of Crohn Disease (CD) in an elderly patient. Diagnosis complicated by extraintestinal manifestation properly of old age could be delayed and often made after surgery on the histological specimen as in our case. CD is uncommon as primary manifestation in old age, often unsuspected, incorrectly diagnosed and in many case the clinical features may lead to late diagnosis. Differential diagnosis of CD in elder people with fever, diarrhoea and abdominal pain is difficult and other symptoms affecting intestinal tract can closely mimic CD symptoms, although the pattern of clinical presentation in older patient resemble those in younger.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Crohn Disease / diagnosis*
  • Crohn Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy
  • Crohn Disease / epidemiology
  • Crohn Disease / pathology
  • Crohn Disease / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Ileum / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Radiography, Abdominal
  • Sex Factors
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisone