Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis ileal stricture successfully treated with through-the-scope balloon dilation in a patient with hyperimmunoglobulin M syndrome

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis is common in patients with disseminated disease affecting both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. However, it is often unrecognized due to a lack of specific signs and symptoms. It has only rarely been reported to cause small bowel obstruction, during which surgical treatment was nearly always necessary. Little is known about the usefulness of endoscopic therapy in gastrointestinal histoplasmosis associated strictures. We report the case of a 32-year-old man with a history of hyperimmunoglobulin M syndrome who presented with small bowel obstruction secondary to disseminated gastrointestinal histoplasmosis. Treatment was successful with a through-the-scope balloon dilator in combination with medical therapy. This report adds to the limited data available on the benefit of endoscopic therapy in infectious strictures, particularly gastrointestinal histoplasmosis.