Lymphocytic Esophagitis: An Emerging Clinicopathologic Disease Associated with Dysphagia.

Abstract

Lymphocytic esophagitis (LyE) is a recently described clinicopathological condition, but little is known about its features and clinical associations. The aim of this study was to characterize patients with LyE, compare them to non-LyE controls, and identify risk factors. We conducted a retrospective study of all patients ≥18years old who underwent upper endoscopy with esophageal biopsy between January 1, 2000, and June 1, 2012. Archived pathology slides were re-reviewed, and LyE was diagnosed if there was lymphocyte-predominant esophageal inflammation with no eosinophils or granulocytes. Three non-LyE controls groups were also defined: reflux, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and normal. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records, and LyE cases were compared to non-LyE controls. Twenty-seven adults were diagnosed with LyE, and the majority were female (63%). The most common symptom was dysphagia (70%). Fifty-two percentage had a prior or current diagnosis of reflux. Endoscopic findings included strictures (37%), erosive esophagitis (33%), rings (26%), and hiatal hernia (26%); 33% of patients required dilation. After histology re-review, 78% of LyE patients were found to have more than 20 lymphs/hpf. In comparison with the normal, reflux and EoE controls, patients with LyE tended to be nonwhite (p<0.01), were more commonly tobacco users (p=0.02) and less likely to have seasonal allergies (p=0.02). LyE commonly presents with dysphagia due to esophageal strictures which require dilation. Smoking was associated with LyE, whereas atopy was not. LyE should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in patients with these characteristics undergoing upper endoscopy.