title: Primary eosinophilic esophagitis.
abstract: Eosinophilic esophagitis is an uncommon pathology that generally affects children with a history of allergies and intrinsic asthma. We present a clinical case of eosinophilic esophagitis in a 16-year-old boy with upper dysphagia for solids since childhood. The analytical study showed only a repeat serum eosinophilia. Barium transit disclosed a reduction in caliber of the whole esophagus. Functional esophageal tests with pH monitoring and manometry were normal. Endoscopy showed a small-diameter esophagus and fibrosis with a very friable mucosa. The histological study of the esophageal biopsies revealed a full thickness major eosinophil infiltration of the esophagus. These findings suggest a differential diagnosis with a great variety of pathologies that can cause similar lesions in the esophagus, especially between primary eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic esophagitis secondary to gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). We implemented medical treatment with oral corticoids and total suppression of allergens from the diet, and the patient was asymptomatic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Munitiz
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Martinez de Haro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bermejo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parrilla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004032:Diet; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone