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.