SWALLOWING DIFFICULTIES:
EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS?
SWALLOWING DIFFICULTIES:
EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS?
SWALLOWING
DIFFICULTIES:
EOSINOPHILIC
ESOPHAGITIS?
HOW IS EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS DIAGNOSED?
A correct diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) can only be made by a gastroenterologist following various investigations. S/he will take a detailed history, analyse your symptoms and then carry out an endoscopic examination of the oesophagus. A number of biopsies (small tissue samples) will be taken during the procedure and then examined under the microscope. In EoE, the oesophagus will normally show signs of acute inflammation, but the diagnosis is only confirmed if large numbers of eosinophils (specialised white blood cells) are present in the lining (mucosa) of the oesophagus.
An eosinophil (specialised white blood cell) surrounded by red blood cells. Inside the cell is a lobed nucleus (compartment where genetic material is stored) and numerous vesicles (small bubbles or granules) containing various substances.
Eosinophils have a lobed nucleus and many vesicles in which substances are stored that cause inflammation when released. Every human has small numbers of eosinophils circulating in the blood. They play an important role in defending the body against parasites (e.g. worms) and are present in allergies, but not normally found in the lining of the oesophagus.
During a biopsy, several small tissue samples of the mucosa are collected to diagnose EoE.
Other conditions can also cause the symptoms described above. For this reason, an endoscopy performed by a gastroenterologist is vital.