Esophageal disorders associated with emesis in infants and children.

Regurgitation of esophageal contents is referred to as esophageal emesis or esophageal vomiting. It is most likely to be confused with symptoms arising from disease proximal or distal to the esophagus, particularly the latter. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between esophageal vomiting and typical vomiting, although in the former group, the regurgitated contents are ingested food and/or saliva; recognition of the exact site of the pathological disorder may necessitate investigation. A wide variety of investigations may be necessary. Disease processes to be considered in the diagnosis include congenital stricture, achalasia and other motility disorders of the esophagus, foreign-body impaction, and acquired strictures of the esophagus, such as peptic or corrosive strictures.