Which statement about eosinophilic esophagitis is true?

Which statement about eosinophilic esophagitis is true?

• A. Ringed esophagus is a classic endoscopic feature
• B. It is never responsive to PPIs
• C. It is diagnosed by X-ray
• D. It is a bacterial infection

Answer: (A)

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the esophagus marked by eosinophilic inflammation and esophageal dysfunction. A hallmark endoscopic finding is ringed esophagus, where the esophageal lining forms concentric rings from inflammatory remodeling; this ringed appearance is a classic clue that points toward the diagnosis when seen alongside symptoms like dysphagia. The definitive diagnosis comes from endoscopy with mucosal biopsies showing dense eosinophilic infiltration (commonly ≥15 eosinophils per high-power field) and ruling out other causes such as GERD. It’s important to note that some patients do respond to proton pump inhibitors, so the statement that it’s never responsive to PPIs isn’t accurate. X-ray is not used to diagnose EoE, and it is not a bacterial infection.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the esophagus marked by eosinophilic inflammation and esophageal dysfunction. A hallmark endoscopic finding is ringed esophagus, where the esophageal lining forms concentric rings from inflammatory remodeling; this ringed appearance is a classic clue that points toward the diagnosis when seen alongside symptoms like dysphagia. The definitive diagnosis comes from endoscopy with mucosal biopsies showing dense eosinophilic infiltration (commonly ≥15 eosinophils per high-power field) and ruling out other causes such as GERD. It’s important to note that some patients do respond to proton pump inhibitors, so the statement that it’s never responsive to PPIs isn’t accurate. X-ray is not used to diagnose EoE, and it is not a bacterial infection.