Promising Modalities to Identify and Monitor Eosinophilic Esophagitis (original) (raw)

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergen-mediated condition characterized by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and histological evidence of intense eosinophilic inflammation involving the esophagus in absence of overlapping conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Since the initial description as a distinct entity about two decades ago, there has been a remarkable rise in the recognition of this clinico-pathologic entity. Current approach to diagnose and monitor EoE requires repeated esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs), with associated sedation/anesthesia, to visualize mucosal abnormalities, and to obtain multiple biopsies for histologic assessment and to evaluate treatment response. Frequent EGDs with multiple biopsies can increase the risk of procedural complications, place significant financial burden on families, and escalate healthcare costs. In addition, this burdensome approach may contribute towards delayed diagnosis and sub-optimal monitoring thereby increa...