The role of endoscopy in eosinophilic esophagitis: from diagnosis to therapy

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has arisen as a common disorder in current clinical and endoscopic gastroenterology practice. Areas covered: A comprehensive review of the literature to summarize and update different aspects related with the use of endoscopy in the diagnostic workout and treatment of pediatric and adult EoE patients is conducted. Expert commentary: Endoscopic features in EoE are frequently subtle, so were inadverted in some initial reports of the disease. Literature has described a wide number of EoE-associated features, systematized in the EREFS classification, which standardized the grade and severity of exudates, rings, edema, furrows, and strictures. The insufficient reliability of these features to predict eosinophilic inflammation still makes biopsies essential in diagnosing or monitoring EoE. EoE causes half of the food impactions requiring endoscopy; food impaction leads to EoE diagnosis in up to half of cases. Long term consequences of EoE include esophageal remodeling leading to strictures and narrowing, thus impairing symptoms and needs dilation. Recognizing the risks from dilation in EoE required carrying out a safe technique to avoid the high complication rate reported in the early literature. Endoscopic dilation should be considered in patients with esophageal narrowing and dysphagia/food impaction unresponsive to diet or drugs-based anti-inflammatory treatment.