Eosinophilic oesophagitis: An enigmatic, emerging disease

Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a disease that has emerged in recent years. It is often associated with dysphagia and oesophageal food impaction in adults. The disease is characterised by infiltration of eosinophilic granulocytes into the oesophageal mucosa. This infiltrate may be responsible for the subtle peristaltic abnormalities that can be found in these patients. Endoscopic findings are usually absent or nonspecific, although a discrete circular ring pattern of the mucosa may be noticed. Occasionally, overt endoscopic abnormalities (such as exudative changes and shearing of the mucosa) can be found. The presence of at least 15 intraepithelial eosinophilic granulocytes per high-power field in random biopsies from the whole length of the oesophagus is considered to be diagnostic. Gastro-oesophageal reflux needs to be excluded as it may lead to eosinophilic infiltration as well. Adequate diagnosis is relevant for treatment and the prevention of unnecessary further investigations. The disease responds well to the ingestion of fluticasone propionate and its long-term prognosis is generally good. But when fluticasone is discontinued recurrent symptoms are common, and some cases are severe, needing treatment with systemic corticosteroids.