[Acute esophageal necrosis. An underdiagnosed disease]

Acute esophageal necrosis is a rare disorder, and its etiology is unknown, the mechanism of damage being usually multifactorial and secondary to ischemic compromise, acute gastric outlet obstruction, and malnutrition. Endoscopic findings show circumferential black discoloration of the distal esophagus with proximal extension ending sharply at the gastroesophageal junction, which is the most common presentation. Prognosis depends on comorbid illnesses. In this study we analyze all cases reported in a retrospective analysis over a 2-year period to define risk factors, clinical presentation, endoscopic features, histological appearance, treatment and outcome. Our department has recorded 7 cases from 6,003 endoscopies performed in the last 2 years. The finding of a "black esophagus" represented 0.11% of cases.