EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS - AN UNDERDIAGNO SED ENTITY

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an exceptional entity, although the number of published cases has increased three times during the last 3 years. We report the case of an 18-year-old male with a long esophageal sten osis due to eosinophilic esophagitis. Clinical, radiologic, endoscopic and manometric outcome was satisfactory after prednisone therapy. Alt hough isolated esophageal involvement may occur, disseminated oesinoph ilic esophago-gastro-intestinal disease is more frequent. The disease is usually diagnosed in young male patients, presenting wiyh dysphagia and, to a lesser extent, chest pain. Previous allergic conditions are reported in 80% of cases and peripheral eosinophilia is present in 80 % of patients, Esophageal stenosis is present in 72% of cases and mano metric alterations are found in 47% of patients. Radiographic findings are nonspecific and include stenosis and rigidity, Endoscopic feature s are not specific either, but diagnosis may be achieved by endoscopic biopsy. Corticosteroids and sodium chromoglycate have proved to be us eful, with good therapeutic response being reported in 90% of patients with this underestimated disease.