Episodic angio-oedema with eosinophilia (EAE) or Gleich’s syndrome is a rare condition characterised by recurrent episodes of oedema and eosinophilia, accompanied by urticaria, fever and weight gain. The presence of… Click to show full abstract
Episodic angio-oedema with eosinophilia (EAE) or Gleich’s syndrome is a rare condition characterised by recurrent episodes of oedema and eosinophilia, accompanied by urticaria, fever and weight gain. The presence of ascites has not been reported so far. We report a 21-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with marked ocular oedema and ascites. Laboratory evaluation revealed marked eosinophilia. During the last 3 months, three episodes of facial and neck oedema were reported, which resolved spontaneously over a period of 3–5 days. The diagnosis of EAE was established after exclusion of secondary causes (infections, allergic reactions, collagen diseases, neoplasms) and clonal disorders associated with marked eosinophilia. Low-dose steroids resulted in eosinophil decrease and complete resolution of symptoms, including ascites. This case highlights that ascites can be a very rare manifestation of EAE particularly if other more frequent causes of ascites have been excluded and the clinical and laboratory findings are supportive of EAE.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.