Neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis) in a pediatric renal transplant patient. A case report and review of the literature

Pediatr Transplant. 2017 Sep;21(6). doi: 10.1111/petr.13022. Epub 2017 Jun 30.

Abstract

NE (typhlitis) is a potentially life-threatening disease process characterized by bowel wall edema, ulceration, and hemorrhage in an immunosuppressed patient. We report a 15-year-old boy status post deceased donor renal transplantation who presented with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Laboratory studies revealed neutropenia 5 days prior to admission, and abdominal computed tomography revealed bowel wall thickening in the cecum consistent with NE. He was treated with piperacillin-tazobactam and gentamicin and recovered. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of NE in a pediatric kidney transplant recipient.

Keywords: immunosuppression; infection; neutropenic enterocolitis; transplantation; typhlitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Enterocolitis, Neutropenic / diagnosis*
  • Enterocolitis, Neutropenic / etiology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*