Endoscopic Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

In eosinophilic esophagitis, the main cause of solid-food dysphagia is tissue remodeling resulting in strictures and narrowed esophagus. Endoscopy and biopsies help to identify the degree of inflammation but often miss the fibrosis. Although initially considered dangerous, esophageal dilation has evolved into an extremely effective and safe treatment in fibrostenotic disease. The key is starting low with small-diameter bougies or balloons, and gradually dilating the esophagus and strictures to 16 to 18 mm. Results in more than 1000 adults and children have shown low rates of complications, especially perforations, and no deaths, but postprocedure chest pain is common.