Crohn's disease of the esophagus: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Esophageal involvement with Crohn's disease has been rarely reported and pathologic documentation of granulomatous disease is often missing. A 12-year-old boy who presented initially with dysphagia, odynophagia, and weight loss was found to have granulomatous esophagitis, gastritis, and subsequent colitis by endoscopic examination. Esophageal manometry showed a hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter with normal peristalsis and sphincter relaxation. The esophageal symptoms responded to oral steroids and sulfasalazine without any specific treatment for acid peptic disease. This case is the youngest reported patient with Crohn's disease of the esophagus. A review of the medical literature illustrates salient clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, and pathologic features of esophageal involvement in Crohn's disease. This case and the summarized cases emphasize the potential significance of esophageal symptoms in patients with Crohn's disease.