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Esophagus (Greek)

oisein = to carry

phagema = food

ESOPHAGITIS: CAUSES1. Reflux of gastric contents (acid and pepsin) and occasionally

duodenal contents (bile and pancreatic secretions)2. Allergy (eosinophilic esophagitis)3. Infections: viral (CMV, HSV), fungal (Candida), bacterial (rare)4. Trauma (intubation)5. Irritants (lye, alcohol, smoking, hot fluids, tetracycline)6. Radiotherapy (RT)7. Chemotherapy, especially if combined with RT (breast cancer)8. Graft-versus-host disease9. Systemic conditions associated with decreased lower esophageal

sphincter (LES): hypothyroidism, scleroderma, pregnancy10. Skin diseases: pemphigus, pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosae

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Eosinophilic esophagitis• First described in children with vomiting and reflux

symptoms• Later described in adults with dysphagia and food

impaction• Cause: hypersensitivity to airborne allergens or dietary

components• Syn: Allergic esophagitis• Treatment: corticosteroids• Diagnosis (clinicopathologic): biopsy with > 20

eosinophils per HPF, eosinophilic microabscesses; norelief after anti-reflux treatment

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