Diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis after fundoplication for 'refractory reflux': implications for preoperative evaluation

Dis Esophagus. 2010 Apr;23(3):191-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2050.2009.01019.x. Epub 2009 Oct 26.

Abstract

A small percentage of patients who carry the diagnosis of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) actually have eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The purpose of this study was to describe a series of patients who underwent fundoplication for presumed refractory GERD, but subsequently were found to have EoE. We performed a retrospective analysis of our EoE database. Patients diagnosed with EoE after Nissen were identified. Cases were defined according to recent consensus guidelines. Five patients underwent anti-reflux surgery for refractory GERD, but were subsequently diagnosed with EoE. None had esophageal biopsies prior to surgery, and in all subjects, symptoms persisted afterward, with no evidence of wrap failure. The diagnosis of EoE was typically delayed (range: 3-14 years), and when made, there were high levels of esophageal eosinophilia (range: 30-170 eos/hpf). A proportion of patients undergoing fundoplication for incomplete resolution of GERD symptoms will be undiagnosed cases of EoE. Given the rising prevalence of EoE, we recommend obtaining proximal and distal esophageal biopsies in such patients prior to performing anti-reflux surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Cohort Studies
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis*
  • Eosinophilia / epidemiology*
  • Eosinophilia / therapy
  • Esophagitis / diagnosis*
  • Esophagitis / epidemiology*
  • Esophagitis / therapy
  • Female
  • Fundoplication*
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / diagnosis
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / etiology
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Proton Pump Inhibitors