Eosinophilic Oesophagitis at The London Gastroenterology Centre

Eosinophilic Oesophagitis is an inflammatory condition of the wall of the oesophagus. The most common cause of Oesophagitis is acid reflux, which most frequently results in heartburn. Acid reflux can also cause ulcers in the inner lining of the Oesophagus. Eosinophils, or white blood cells, causing the inflammation are prominent in other diseases too, such as allergies and asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy of the Oesophagus or via an endoscopy. First line of treatment of Eosinophilic Oesophagitis is with proton pump inhibitors and swallowed fluticasone propionate. Gentle oesophageal dilatation can also be used when medications fail to relieve dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing). More often allergies are the cause of this inflammatory disease and these can be tested for by blood and food patch tests. The main management of this condition is with an elimination diet closely monitored by an allergist/immunologist, as well as different medical treatments such as corticosteroids or proton pump inhibitors.