Eosinophilic esophagitis

World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jan 7;15(1):17-24. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.17.

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis is increasingly recognized in adults. The diagnosis is based on the presence of both typical symptoms and pathologic findings on esophageal biopsy. Patients usually present with dysphagia, food impaction and/or reflux-like symptoms, and biopsy of the esophagus shows more than 15 eosinophils per high-power field. In addition, it is essential to exclude the presence of known causes of tissue eosinophilia such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, infections, malignancy, collagen vascular diseases, hypersensitivity, and inflammatory bowel disease. There are no standardized protocols for the therapy of eosinophilic esophagitis. A variety of therapeutic approaches including acid suppression, dietary modifications, topical corticosteroids and endoscopic dilation can be used alone or in combination.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use
  • Dilatation
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilia / etiology*
  • Eosinophilia / therapy
  • Esophagitis / diagnosis
  • Esophagitis / etiology*
  • Esophagitis / therapy
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Food, Formulated
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / diagnosis
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / etiology
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Leukotriene Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Steroids / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Leukotriene Antagonists
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors
  • Steroids