[Endoscopic diagnosis of chemical burns of the esophagus].

Analysis of endoscopic diagnosis of chemical burns of the esophagus permitted the authors to define the direct and indirect signs of esophageal involvement in chemical burns and to assess the severity of involvement. The accuracy of diagnosing the degree of chemical burn from direct signs is rather low during the first three days after caustic injury. Deep necrotic and necrobiotic changes in the esophageal wall can be assessed from indirect signs of chemical injury to the esophagus.