Gastrointestinal/Dermatologic Disorders

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Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Dermatologic Disorders

Helen M. Shieldslow

Harvard Medical School, Somerville, Massachusetts

September 4, 2007.

The skin and the gastrointestinal tract may be affected concurrently

by the same diseases. Pathogenetically, these conditions may be

primarily dermatologic diseases involving the gastrointestinal (GI)

tract or systemic diseases involving the skin, GI tract, and liver

simultaneously. The correct diagnosis of such conditions relies on the

ability of the gastroenterologist to recognize the underlying

dermatologic disorder. The goal of this clinical review article is to

increase gastroenterologists’ awareness and understanding of some of

these conditions. Case vignettes are presented and the relevant

literature reviewed for epidermolysis bullosa, mastocytosis,

hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, and melanoma. This review

focuses on increasing gastroenterologists’ ability to recognize,

diagnose, comprehend, and manage patients with these dermatologic

conditions who have GI manifestations. Advances in molecular genetics

that provide insight into the underlying pathophysiology and

histopathology of these lesions are highlighted.