NK-cell enteropathy: a case report with ten years of indolent clinical behavior

Abstract

NK-cell enteropathy is a recently described clinically indolent condition characterized by atypical NK-cell infiltrates in the gastrointestinal mucosa that mimics malignant lymphoma. We report the case of a 69-year-old female who clinically had long-standing abdominal pain and recurrent mucosal ulcerations associated with atypical NK-cell infiltrates. The clinical, morphologic, and immunophenotypic findings in this case were diagnostic of NK-cell enteropathy. Review of the patient's prior biopsies demonstrated that this persisted without clinical progression for ten years—confirming the clinical indolent course. Recognition of NK-cell enteropathy is important to avoid over-diagnosing this benign condition as an aggressive lymphoma.

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