title: Topical corticosteroid treatment of dysphagia due to eosinophilic esophagitis in adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical features of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis and the use of topical corticosteroids for treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the charts of 21 patients with a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between September 1, 1999, and December 31, 2001. The diagnosis was based on the presence of a "ringed esophagus" or a tapered distal esophagus on upper endoscopy as well as the presence of a dense eosinophilic infiltrate on esophageal biopsy. All patients were treated with topical corticosteroids, and follow-up was performed by telephone interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 15 men and 6 women ranged in age from 27 years to 66 years at diagnosis (mean, 36 [corrected] years). All had solid-food dysphagia for at least 6 years, and 15 patients had prior food impaction. Eighteen patients had either a ringed-appearing esophagus or smooth tapering in the distal esophagus. All patients had a dense eosinophilic infiltration (> 20 eosinophils per high-power field) in the mid or distal esophagus. Topical corticosteroid therapy for 6 weeks resulted in complete dysphagia relief in all patients and lasted a minimum of 4 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eosinophilic esophagitis is an entity associated with food dysphagia (predominantly in young adults) and a ringed or smooth tapered distal-appearing esophagus. Our study found no association with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Topical corticosteroid therapy was effective.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA. arora.amindra@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Amindra S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perrault
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Smyrk
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones