Letters To The Editor
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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Feb 16, 2013; 5(2): 79-80
Published online Feb 16, 2013. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v5.i2.79
Food impaction in older age: Think about an eosinophilic esophagitis
Umit Akyüz, Filiz Akyüz, Kamil Özdil, Hasan Altun, Ahmet Faruk Ağan, Ayşegül Ağan
Umit Akyüz, Department of Gastroenterology, Yeditepe University, 34752 Kozyatagi/Istanbul, Turkey
Filiz Akyüz, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul University, 34590 Capa/Istanbul, Turkey
Kamil Özdil, Umraniye Educational and Research Center, Department of Gastroenterology, 81090 Umraniye/Istanbul, Turkey
Hasan Altun, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Educational and Research Center, Department of General Surgery, 34752 Kozyatagi/Istanbul, Turkey
Ahmet Faruk Ağan, Department of Gastroenterology, Medipol Hospital, 34752 Kozyatagi/Istanbul, Turkey
Ayşegül Ağan, Department of Pathology, Medipol Hospital, 34752 Kozyatagi/Istanbul, Turkey
Author contributions: Akyüz U and Akyüz F interpreted the results and wrote the paper; Özdil K, Altun H and Ağan AF co-worked on associated data collection and their interpretation; Ağan A reviewed the pathology specimen.
Correspondence to: Umit Akyüz, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Yeditepe University, Ankara Cad. No 102/104, 34752 Kozyatagi/Istanbul, Turkey. umitakyuz@yahoo.com
Telephone: +90-216-4693796 Fax: +90-216-5784145
Received: January 16, 2012
Revised: December 15, 2012
Accepted: December 22, 2012
Published online: February 16, 2013
Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammatory condition of esophagus. It is generally seen in childhood and young population. Men are more commonly affected than women. However, it is not common in an advanced age. Eosinophilic esophagitis decreases the ability of the esophagus to stretch and accommodation against foods. Therefore, the major symptom in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis is difficulty in swallowing solid food (dysphagia). Specifically, the food gets stuck in the esophagus after it is swallowed. Less common symptoms include heartburn and chest pain. Because of this, it may be incorrectly diagnosed as a gastroesophageal reflux disease. Here, we reported a case presented with food impaction at advanced age. As a conclusion, eosinophilic esophagitis is a rare entity that must be remembered in advance aged patients presenting with food impaction.

Keywords: Dysphagia; Eosinophilia; Esophagitis; Food impaction; Allergy