Black esophagus: a case series and literature review of acute esophageal necrosis

Abstract

Black esophagus or acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is a rare medical disorder which is characterized by a diffuse circumferential black esophageal mucosa. The majority of patients present with signs of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis is made based on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Treatment consists of intravenous fluids, proton pomp inhibitors and additional therapies to treat the underlying illness. In this article we present five cases of patients with AEN and briefly review the literature of AEN.