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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
allergic (eosinophilic) esophagitis
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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allergic (eosinophilic) esophagitis
by Buffalo Bill, Jan 12, 2003 12:00AM
What treatment would you recommend for a 16 year old girl who has allergic esophagitis? The dx was made on endoscopy by a local pediatric gastroenterologist.
I'm a retired pathologist and the girl is a granddaughter.
Thanks,
Bill
I'm a retired pathologist and the girl is a granddaughter.
Thanks,
Bill
Thanks...
Amy
Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol 2003 Feb;6(1):49-54 Related Articles, Links
Eosinophilic Esophagitis.
Katzka DA.
3 Ravdin Bldg, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. ***@****
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a disease that has moved from relative obscurity, known to a few pediatricians, to one of emerging interest and attention in both the pediatric and adult literature. In part, this is due to the underrecognition of the disease, its increasing description in adults, and the fact that it may be a great imitator of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Symptoms may be protean including heartburn, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain accompanied by a history of atopic illnesses. Similarly, endoscopic and radiographic appearances may vary, ranging from stricture and "ring" formation to a completely normal-appearing esophagus, with diagnosis made only on biopsy sampling throughout the entire esophagus. Because this disease is thought to be allergic in origin, primary therapy is an attempt to identify and exclude possible food allergens through skin testing. Owing to the inability to identify an allergen or, conversely, poor compliance with a diet avoiding multiple food allergens, steroids may be useful in this disease. Strictures often require dilation as well owing to the chronic and fibrotic nature of these lesions.
Paediatr Drugs 2002;4(9):563-70 Related Articles, Links
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: epidemiology, diagnosis and management.
Khan S, Orenstein SR.
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh and School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. seema.***@****
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a heterogeneous and uncommon disorder characterized by eosinophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tissues. The location and depth of infiltration determine its varied manifestations, and the latter is also the basis for the proposed classification into mucosal, muscular and serosal eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are each present in nearly 50% of the patients, with some overlap. Peripheral eosinophilia is seen in approximately two-thirds of patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. It is now clear that eotaxin, a specific eosinophil chemoattractant, plays a pivotal role in the process of eosinophil production. The differential diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in children includes parasitic infections, inflammatory bowel disease, connective tissue diseases, some malignancies and adverse effects of drugs. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis itself has been strongly associated with food allergies, and concomitant atopic diseases or a family history of allergies is elicited in about 70% of cases. The pediatric experience is unique with respect to recognition of distinctive entities such as allergic procto-colitis, almost exclusively seen in infants, and eosinophilic esophagitis being increasingly reported among children and young adults. The gold standard for diagnosis, usually demonstrated on endoscopic biopsies, is prominent tissue eosinophilia. However, the diagnosis may be obscured by the patchy nature of the disease, and muscular and serosal eosinophilic gastroenteritis subtypes. In the latter cases, full thickness biopsies would be indicated for a definitive diagnosis. There are many reports of successful treatment of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in children, using a variety of treatment regimens including elimination diets. Corticosteroids remain the most effective agents for controlling symptoms, but unfortunately the relapsing nature of the disease would mandate prolonged corticosteroid use. Reports of favorable responses to new leukotriene inhibitors in patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis are encouraging; these responses should stimulate future research on the pathophysiology and management of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
Amy
http://www.apfed.org/ [click on EE]
http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic688.htm