title: Treatment of esophageal Crohn's disease by enteral feeding via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Crohn's disease of the esophagus is rare, and medical treatment often ineffective. Complications such as abscess and fistula may arise, and the morbidity of surgery is high.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cases of refractory esophageal Crohn's disease were confirmed by endoscopy and biopsy. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEGs) were inserted and used for enteral nutrition for 9 and 1 month, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PEGs were well tolerated. Symptoms subsided rapidly, and later gastroscopies confirmed healing of the esophageal ulcers. No complications occurred, and the gastrostomy sites closed quickly after removal of the tubes, with minimal scarring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enteral feeding via PEG appears to be safe and well tolerated and may be of great value in the management not only of esophageal Crohn's disease but also of refractory disease at other sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berto
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Scribano
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans