Unusual Cause of Chronic Diarrhea: Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome
September 2007
in “
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
”
TLDR Cronkhite-Canada syndrome causes chronic diarrhea and has a poor prognosis despite treatment.
Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) was a rare, non-familial cause of multiple polyposis, characterized by symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, weight loss, alopecia, onchodystropy, and hyperpigmentation. A case study described a 37-year-old Filipino man who presented with these symptoms, including significant weight loss and gastrointestinal issues. Diagnosis was confirmed through clinical, endoscopic, and pathological findings, revealing diffuse polypoid lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment included nutritional support, medications, and vitamin supplementation, leading to gradual improvement in symptoms. Despite treatment, the prognosis for CCS was poor, with a high mortality rate within five years of diagnosis.