Fulminant Crohn's colitis: When only an antibody will do

Abstract

Background: Fulminant Crohn's colitis complicated by toxic dilatation of the large bowel usually requires surgery, which carries a substantial morbidity and mortality rate. Methods: We report the case of a female with steroid refractory fulminant Crohn's colitis complicated by toxic megacolon who was successfully treated with the antitumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody adalimumab. Results: Adalimumab induced rapid clinical response and remission, thereby avoiding emergency colectomy. Conclusions: This is the first report of treatment of fulminant Crohn's colitis with an antitumor necrosis factor antibody and the first report of the use of adalimumab for fulminant colitis of any cause. ..