Idiopathic eosinophilic esophagitis.

A retrospective review was performed of 13 patients with the diagnosis of idiopathic eosinophilic esophagitis (IEE) occurring alone or in conjunction with idiopathic eosinophilic gastroenteritis (IEG) to identify clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, manometric, and therapeutic similarities. All patients presented with esophageal symptoms, predominantly dysphagia. An allergic disorder was present in 10 (77%) patients, and peripheral eosinophilia was present in 12 (92%) patients. Clinical investigation disclosed esophageal strictures in 10 patients, motility disorders in three, ulcerations in two, a cervical web in one, and a mucosal ring in one as the cause of esophageal symptoms. A proximal esophageal stricture was the single most common esophageal abnormality demonstrated. IEE should be included in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia and should be suggested in a patient with an allergic disorder, peripheral eosinophilia, and concurrent abdominal symptoms, especially in conjunction with IEG. Prompt diagnosis is extremely important since treatment with steroids produces rapid clinical remission in most patients.