title: Esophageal infarction.
abstract: Esophageal infarction or acute necrotizing esophagitis is a rare condition that has a dramatic endoscopic appearance of a "black esophagus." The esophageal involvement can vary from the distal third to the total esophagus. Excluding corrosive injury and other well-known rare causes of black esophagus, the etiology of this condition is unknown. Ischemia due to hypoperfusion state is thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis. The treatment is supportive with acid suppression and gastrointestinal rest. Mortality is high due to comorbid conditions.
authors.affiliation: Pankaj J. Pasricha, MD University of Texas Medical Branch, Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine Department, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA. jpasrich@utmb.edu.
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hawari
authors.forename: Pankaj J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Pasricha