Diagnosis of acute corrosive lesions of the oesophagus

Early diagnosis of acute corrosive lesions of the oesophagus enables adequate treatment to be given to the patient and prevents unnecessary treatment of uninjured individuals. In an analysis of 64 patients of varying ages subjected to oesophagoscopy during a 10-year period for suspected corrosive lesions of the oesophagus caused by alkali, acids and other corrosive substances, it was found that neither clinical signs, laboratory investigations nor X-ray examination gives sufficient information about whether the patient has a corrosive lesion of the oesophagus or not. Oesophagoscopy establishes the diagnosis. Patients suspected of having corrosive lesions of the oesphagus should therefore be subjected to oesophagoscopy as soon as their condition permits.