Eosinophilic esophagitis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Eosinophilic esophagitis
Synonyms	EoE
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Dysphagia, food impaction, chest pain, heartburn
Complications	Esophageal stricture, esophageal perforation
Onset	Childhood or adulthood
Duration	Long-term
Types	N/A
Causes	Allergic reaction
Risks	Atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies
Diagnosis	Endoscopy, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal cancer, achalasia
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Dietary management, proton pump inhibitors, topical corticosteroids
Medication	Fluticasone, budesonide
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	1 in 2,000 people
Deaths	N/A

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune system disease that affects the esophagus, the muscular tube that delivers food from the mouth to the stomach. It is characterized by a large number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in the esophagus.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), food impaction, and persistent heartburn. Children may also experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and failure to thrive.

Causes

Eosinophilic esophagitis is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is often associated with other allergic conditions, such as asthma, eczema, and food allergies.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis involves a combination of patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. The gold standard for diagnosis is an endoscopy with biopsy, which allows for the direct visualization of the esophagus and the collection of tissue samples for microscopic examination.

Treatment

Treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis typically involves dietary modifications, medication, and in some cases, dilation of the esophagus. The goal of treatment is to reduce eosinophil levels in the esophagus, alleviate symptoms, and prevent long-term complications.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, most individuals with eosinophilic esophagitis can lead normal lives. However, the condition is chronic and requires ongoing management to prevent recurrence of symptoms and complications.

Images

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  Histopathology of eosinophilic esophagitis
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  Eosinophilic esophagitis

See also

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Food allergy