[Caustic burns of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis and therapy]

Out of 81 patients with suspected caustic injury 27% showed esophageal lesions. In 5% the lesions were severe and strictures developed and dilatations were necessary. The diagnosis has to be made by endoscopy in each suspected injury to rule it out or to control its steroid therapy. Even without oropharyngeal lesions caustic injury of the esophagus is possible. Endoscopy and dilatation were made under sedation and did not hurt the patients. No complications occurred. Steroids seem to be useful only in severe caustic ingestions.