Pediatric Gastroenterology

Answer 4 EE. EE is an inflammatory disorder that involves an eosinophilic infiltrate in the esophagus. This condition is associated with atopic illnesses, such as asthma, and may represent an allergic process. On esophageal biopsies, patients have more than 20 eosinophils per high power field. Food impaction and dysphagia are common in these patients, and endoscopy can reveal a ringed esophagus, patchy white exudates, and strictures or can be normal. Treatment of EE involves oral or inhaled corticosteroids, and most patients respond to therapy. A Shatzki ring, if present, would be easily detected on endoscopy. Nutcracker esophagus is a disorder of esophageal motility and is rarely seen in pediatric patients. GERD is not associated with food impactions without associated peptic strictures. Behavior disorders can be seen in patients with EE, but this would not explain recurrent food impaction. Click here to return to the questions

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