[Idiopathic eosinophilic esophagitis: case report]

Idiopathic eosinophilic oesophagitis is a rare differential diagnosis in patients with recurrent dysphagia. In the light of a case report and a literature review the patient's symptoms are compared with those discussed in the literature. The patient's main symptom was years-long recurrent dysphagia, sometimes with obstruction. An atopic disorder combined with peripheral eosinophilia or an elevated IgE level are found in most patients. The clinical findings are non-specific. Biopsies of the whole oesophageal mucosa produced the diagnostic histology and showed extensive infiltration by eosinophilic granulocytes. The symptoms respond well to steroid therapy.