A new case of eosinophilic esophagitis

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a rarely diagnosed condition involving eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal mucosa The hallmark of this condition is intermittent and often painful dysphagia that may become constant as the disease progresses. It was initially included within the more general condition known as eosinophilic gastroenteritis but it is now considered an independent entity. Attwood et al. called attention to eosinophilic esophagitis as a distinct clinical condition in 1993. Although eosinophilic esophagitis was thought to occur primarily in children, a significant body of evidence suggests that it affects adults as well. We describe a clinical case of a young woman with a long-standing history of dysphagia affected of this rare entity.

A Japanese case of eosinophilic esophagitis

“…[5][6][7] Recently, however, EE has also been recognized in adults. [8][9][10] To our knowledge, there have been no case reports of EE from Asian countries, although many cases have been reported in Western countries. Here we present the first known documented Japanese case of EE in a 69-year-old man.…”

“…The esophageal mucosa has also been reported to be fragile in cases of EE. 8,30,31 Mucosal tears have been observed in the affected esophagus, and these have also been reported to occur spontaneously during endoscopic observation or to be induced by minor trauma during biopsy procedures. 8,30,31 Straumann et al 31 have termed such fragile esophageal mucosa "crêpe-paper" mucosa.…”

“…11 Although EE was previously recognized to affect children, adult cases have also been reported recently. [8][9][10] The majority of patients with EE have atopic conditions, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy (29%-84%). 5,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18] In addition, 5%-58% of patients with EE are reported to show eosinophilia.…”

Is the etiology of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults a response to allergy or reflux injury? Study of cellular proliferation markers

“…Initially described as a distinct entity in a cohort of 12 patients by Attwood, Smyrk, and Demeester in 1993, 1 limited literature was published on the condition for the next 10 years. Since 2003, a huge increase in interest and the recognition of EE in adults has occurred, and over 400 cases have now been published worldwide 1–20 . Symptoms of the condition include chest pain, intermittent dysphagia, and food bolus obstruction.…”