Isolated jejunal Crohn's disease in a young adult presenting as fever of unknown origin.
A 27-yr-old man was referred for fever, weight loss, fatigue, and occasional mild epimesogastric pain without diarrhea or vomiting. Laboratory tests were suggestive of an active inflammatory disease but serological, bacteriological, viral searches, markers of autoimmunity, and neoplasia were all negative. The following were also negative: ultrasonography; conventional x-rays; CT scans; esophagogastroduodenoscopy, pancolonoscopy with ileoscopy; cytohistology including duodenum and ileocolon. Empiric antibiotic regimens failed to control the temperature. Small bowel enema disclosed multiple proximal jejunal strictures. Jejunoscopy revealed erythema, friability, linear ulcerations, stenosis, and dilation in the proximal jejunum. Multiple directed biopsies showed inflammatory changes devoid of any specific features. The patient received steroid treatment and his temperature normalized. Six months later, he was readmitted on account of intestinal subocclusion that was managed conservatively. A few days later urgent laparotomy was performed with peritoneal lavage, repair of double perforated proximal jejunal ulcers, and stricturoplasty. Surgical jejunal biopsy confirmed the results of enteroscopic biopsies. The patient is presently without fever, in the absence of steroid treatment. There have been no reports of cryptogenic fever due to isolated jejunal Crohn's disease in the recent literature. Our patient's clinical picture resembled disease as seen in older children and adolescents, in whom it is a difficult diagnosis owing to the absence of diarrhea. In adults with Crohn's disease isolated jejunal involvement represents approximately 1% of cases. A thorough small bowel investigation is warranted in young adults with cryptogenic fever and low serum protein levels, even in the absence of major gastrointestinal complaints.