Chronic inflammatory disorder of the oesophagus

Aetiology

• Personal/family history of allergy/asthma
• Young
• Greater prevalence in males

Pathophysiology

• Type I hypersensitivity (allergy)

Clinical features

• Patients often describe a food bolus sticking in their throat

Investigations

• Bloods: ↑ eosinophils
• 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