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Published on: March 1, 2015
Dysphagia and chest pain in a 7-year-old girl
Charles B Chen1, Balaji Cherupalla2
1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, US.
Insights
A 7-year-old experienced sudden dysphagia and abdominal pain, revealing rare concurrent herpes simplex and eosinophilic esophagitis. This case highlights the importance of thorough evaluation for pediatric gastrointestinal complaints.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Dysphagia is a frequent pediatric gastrointestinal issue, necessitating evaluation for oropharyngeal and esophageal conditions.
- Herpes simplex esophagitis (HSE) is uncommon in immunocompetent children and usually resolves spontaneously.
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder causing esophageal dysfunction.
Abstract:
Dysphagia is a common gastrointestinal complaint in the pediatric population and should raise concern for oropharyngeal as well as esophageal disorders. We describe a 7-year old patient who was admitted to the hospital for sudden onset dysphagia, abdominal pain, and decreased oral intake. Extensive evaluations including endoscopy eventually revealed herpes simplex esophagitis as well as eosinophilic esophagitis. Herpes simplex esophagitis is a rare condition in the immunocompetent population and is typically self-resolving. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic, inflammatory condition characterized by esophageal eosinophilia and signs of esophageal dysfunction. The concurrent presentation of both conditions in the pediatric population has rarely been described.
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