Chronic inflammatory disorder of the oesophagus
Aetiology
- Personal/family history of allergy/asthma
- Greater prevalence in males
Pathophysiology
- Type I hypersensitivity (allergy)
Clinical presentation
- Patients often describe a food bolus sticking in their throat
Investigations
- Endoscopy - corrugated oesophagus, trachealisation
- Biopsy - very spongiotic epithelium with huge numbers of eosinophils
Management
- If allergen can be identified - avoidance
- Some patients show generalised ‘atopy’ - may respond to steroids/cromoglycate/montelukast