Endoscopy 2008; 40(2): 161-164
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-995345
Case report

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Esophageal strictures in adult eosinophilic esophagitis: dilation is an effective and safe alternative after failure of topical corticosteroids

A.  M.  Schoepfer1 , J.  Gschossmann1 , U.  Scheurer1 , F.  Seibold1 , A.  Straumann2
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, University of Bern/Inselspital, Switzerland
  • 2Department of Gastroenterology, Kantonsspital Olten, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 27 February 2007

accepted after revision 9 October 2007

Publication Date:
06 February 2008 (online)

Strictures are a frequent complication of eosinophilic esophagitis. The efficacy and safety of topical corticosteroids and of dilation of eosinophilic esophagitis-associated strictures have not yet been thoroughly clarified. We present a retrospective analysis of 10 adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis who had symptomatic esophageal stenosis that was unresponsive to topical corticosteroids, and who were treated using bougienage. Eight patients had one single stricture, one patient had two, and another had three strictures; mean stricture length was 2.1 cm (range 1 - 6 cm). Bougienage led to prompt symptom relief. Apart from transient postprocedural odynophagia, no severe complications occurred. During the follow-up (mean 6 months; range 2 - 11 months), all patients enjoyed sustained treatment response.

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A. Schoepfer, MD

Department of Gastroenterology

Inselspital, Bern University Hospital

3010 Bern

Switzerland

Fax: +41316329765

Email: alain.schoepfer@insel.ch