Successful medical management of neutropenic enterocolitis in adults with acute leukemia

South Med J. 1987 Oct;80(10):1233-5. doi: 10.1097/00007611-198710000-00008.

Abstract

Seven adults with acute leukemia had a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of neutropenic enterocolitis. Six of the seven patients had granulocyte counts less than 500/microliter. All seven patients responded to intensive medical therapy, including bowel rest, broad spectrum antibiotics, and white blood cell transfusions, and recovered from the neutropenic enterocolitis without surgical intervention. We discuss the clinical spectrum of neutropenic enterocolitis and the favorable results of medical therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agranulocytosis / therapy*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Bacterial Infections / etiology
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Enterocolitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Enterocolitis / drug therapy*
  • Enterocolitis / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / complications*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications*
  • Leukocyte Transfusion
  • Male
  • Neutropenia / etiology
  • Neutropenia / therapy*
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents