Esophagitis Dissecans Superficialis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Esophagitis dissecans superficialis (EDS) is a rare condition characterized classically by sloughing of the esophageal mucosa, followed by vomiting or regurgitation of the esophageal cast (1). Since the advent of endoscopy, less dramatic cases of EDS have been diagnosed, characterized by stripped, whitish mucosa with or without bleeding, vertical fissures and circumferential cracks, in addition to long, linear mucosal breaks. EDS can be associated with medications such as bisphosphonates or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chemical irritants, celiac disease, hot beverages, autoimmune bullous dermatoses or idiopathy (2). EDS is known to be a benign condition that usually resolves without lasting pathological changes. Although biopsies from the esophageal mucosa of patients with EDS are sometimes associated with fungal or bacterial colonies (3), we report a case in which the appearance of EDS mimicked candidal esophagitis, and highlight the need to consider EDS in a differential diagnosis.