title: Exercise-induced chest pain: an atypical manifestation of eosinophilic esophagitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic-inflammatory immune-mediated disease of the esophagus. The most common symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis are dysphagia for solids and bolus obstruction. Approximately half of the patients complain about spontaneously occurring chest pain. However, some patients with eosinophilic esophagitis suffer from, in addition to the described symptoms, exercise-induced chest pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here we report on several patients presenting with exercise-induced chest pain, with 2 patients presenting exclusively only with this symptom. After a comprehensive evaluation including exclusion of gastroesophageal reflux disease and heart disease, a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis based on endoscopical and histological criteria was unequivocally established. The condition improved rapidly after initiation of a treatment with topical corticosteroids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eosinophilic esophagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with exercise-induced chest pain, particularly in younger male individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.affiliation: Institute Pathology Viollier, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bussmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beglinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Straumann
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: petr.hruz@usb.ch.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hruz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D057765:Eosinophilic Esophagitis / Q000150:complications*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Eosinophilic esophagitis; Exercise-induced chest pain; Symptoms