A patient with Crohn’s disease – from diagnosis to therapy onset. Therapeutic standards vs. reality – a case report

Abstract

Crohn’s disease is a nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease. The first symptoms tend to be non-specific, which can cause diagnostic difficulties. Full-thickness inflammation of the bowel wall, which may involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, is a landmark of this disorder. Terminal ileum is the most commonly affected area, as also described in the presented case. Surgical treatment should be as least invasive as possible due to the high probability of another surgical intervention. We present a case of a patient previously repeatedly treated for anal abscess in an outpatient setting in the USA. The patient was admitted to the surgical ward due to perineal phlegmon in the course of recurrent anal abscess. He was qualified for abscess incision. During hospital stay, the patient developed symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnostic endoscopy of the large bowel revealed macroscopic lesions typical of Crohn’s disease. Repeated attempts to transfer the patient to a unit specialised in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) have been unsuccessful. Due to the deteriorating general condition and progressive anaemisation, the patient was qualified for surgery. The end section of the ileum was resected and an end ileostomy was created. After stabilisation of the general condition, the patient was discharged home having been recommended to continue treatment in a gastroenterology clinic, in a centre specialised in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.