Esophageal manifestations of Crohn's disease.

Two patients with concurrent esophagitis and ileocolitis due to Crohn's disease are presented. The initial feature of esophageal involvement was dysphagia caused by severe inflammation of the distal esophagus with mucosal ulcerations and polypoid folds. Long-term observation of both cases revealed a gradually progressive course leading to development of rigid esophageal structure, intramural sinus tract, and esophagobronchial or esophagogastric fistulas. The clinical and radiographic manifestations of Crohn's esophagitis in these 2 patients and in 18 previously reported cases are reviewed.