| Abstract [eng] |
Although previously considered a rare pathology, eosinophilic esophagitis is now one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in children with eating disorders and in adults with dysphagia. Incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis is getting higher every year so it is very important for the primary care provider to suspect the disease and to refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis. Adults with eosinophilic esophagitis are more likely to experience symptoms of dysphagia, whereas symptoms in children are usually nonspecific. Endoscopic findings in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis are tracheal-like rings, linear furrows, white exudates, edemous, pale mucosa, and narrowing or stricture of the esophagus. In all cases where eosinophilic esophagitis is a clinical possibility (even when normal mucosa is visualized during endoscopy), esophageal biopsy is recommended. For eosinophilic esophagitis to be confirmed, histologic evaluation is needed. The count of eosinophils in esophageal biopsy speciments is needed to be at least 15 eosinophils per high power field (or ≥ 60 eosinophils / mm2). Eosinophilic esophagitis can be treated with diet or medication (proton pump inhibitors or glucocorticoids), and complications of the disease are treated with endoscopic dilatations. To prevent eosinophilic esophagitis relapse and complications, continuous long-term treatment is required. In this review, we provide a broader look of the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, symptoms and patient adaptation, diagnostics, treatment modalities and prognosis of eosinophilic esophagitis. |
