Alkaline esophagitis evaluated by endoscopic ultrasound

Case Report: Two patients with corrosive esophagitis caused by alkaline hou sehold agents were examined with endoscopic ultrasound using a 20-MHz probe . In the first case, endoscopic ultrasound revealed circumferentially thick ened mucosa and muscularis propria, and lack of differentiation between the mucosa and submucosa. However, esophageal stricture did not develop during 3 months of follow-up, suggesting that the deep lesion may have involved a narrow section of esophagus only. In the second case, a markedly thickened mucosa was seen, resulting in no sequelae. Endoscopic ultrasound offers a more accurate evaluation of the depth of the lesions in alkaline esophagiti s compared to standard endoscopy or computed tomography. Longitudinal studi es are needed to identify lesions at greatest risk for progression to stric ture.