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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| '''Eosinophilic esophagitis''' is an [[allergy|allergic]] inflammatory condition of the [[esophagus]]. Symptoms are [[chest pain]] or [[heartburn]] and occasionally [[dysphagia]], or difficulty in [[swallow]]ing. The [[disease]] was first described in children but occurs in adults as well.
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| [[Image:Multi ring esophagus.jpg|thumb|center|[[Endoscopic]] image of [[esophagus]] in a case of eosinophilic esophagitis. Concentric rings are termed [[Vertebrate trachea|trachealization]] of the esophagus.]]
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| Diagnosis is obtained during an upper GI endoscopy where [[biopsies]] are taken of the esophagus. At the time of [[endoscopy]], ridges or [[furrow]]s may be seen in the esophagus wall. Sometimes, multiple rings may occur in the esophagus, leading to the term "multi-ring esophagus" or "feline esophagus" due to the similarity in the rings of the cat esophagus. A high number of eosinophils are seen on microscopic examination of the biopsy specimens.
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| Skin testing can help identify which foods might contribute to this disease, but often skin testing implicates foods that are not involved. Common [[allergen]]s in the GI tract are cow's milk, soy, egg and wheat.
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| [[Image:Eosinophilic esophagiits ba swallow.jpg|thumb|center|150px|[[Barium swallow]] of the esophagus, showing multiple rings associated with eosinophilic esophagitis.]]
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| Treatment strategies include removal of the offending food, [[proton pump inhibitor]]s to decrease acidity in the stomach that may reflux into the esophagus, inhaled steroid puffers taken orally and swallowed, anti-histamines, H2-receptor blockers such as [[cimetidine]], [[leukotriene]] modifiers such as [[montelukast]], and, in investigational reports, the anti-IL5 [[monoclonal antibody]] [[mepolizumab]]. Refractory patients may require oral [[steroid]] medications.
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| [[Image:Eosinophilic esophagiits path.jpg|thumb|center|150px|[[H&E]] stain of [[esophagus]] [[biopsy]] showing eosinophilic esophagitis, manifested by an infiltration of [[eosinophils]] in the [[lamina propria]]]]
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| ==Historical Perspective== | | ==Historical Perspective== |