Esophageal perforation in eosinophilic esophagitis: five cases in children

Abstract

Background and study aims Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune disease with increasing incidence. It is clinically defined by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and histologically by eosinophilic polynuclear cell infiltration of the esophageal mucosa. Symptoms are not specific and include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphagia, vomiting or dietary blockages. Chronic inflammation of the mucosa may lead to narrowing of the esophageal lumen responsible for impactions. Extraction procedures can be complicated by dissection and perforation. Rare spontaneous ruptures of the esophagus known as Boerhaave syndrome are also possible. We report five cases of esophageal perforation in children with EoE, three with spontaneous rupture and two after an endoscopic procedure. The evolution was favorable under medical treatment.