Clin Endosc.  2014 Sep;47(5):447-451. 10.5946/ce.2014.47.5.447.

Various Upper Endoscopic Findings of Acute Esophageal Thermal Injury Induced by Diverse Food: A Case Series

• Lee YM
• Kim SM
• Kim JY
• Song HJ
• Koo HS
• Song KH
• Kim YS
• Huh KC

• KMID: 2165378
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2014.47.5.447

Abstract

Esophageal thermal injury caused by food has been reported to occur mostly after drinking hot liquid food, and is known to produce alternating white and red linear mucosal bands. In addition, thermal injury caused by ingestion of hot solid foods is documented to be a cause of esophageal ulcers or pseudomembranes. From January 2006 to August 2012, five patients with suspected esophageal thermal injury underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy. A "candy-cane" appearance was observed in one case, pseudomembrane was observed in two cases, an esophageal ulcer was observed in one case, and a friable and edematous mucosa was noted in one case. We believe that the endoscopic findings of esophageal thermal injury depend on the following factors: causative materials, amount of food consumed, exposure period, and time to endoscopy after the incident. Therefore, physicians who encounter patients with suspected esophageal thermal injury should carefully take the patient's history considering these factors.

Keyword

Esophageal thermal injury; Endoscopy, digestive system; Candy-cane appearance

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Drinking
Eating
Endoscopy
Endoscopy, Digestive System
Humans
Mucous Membrane
Ulcer

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Endoscopic findings. (A) The initial endoscopic view shows whitish pseudomembranous mucosa with a geographic shape. (B) Follow-up endoscopic findings after 7 days. The candy-cane appearance is seen.

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  Fig. 2 (A, B) Endoscopic findings. The initial endoscopic view shows a whitish pseudomembrane extending from the proximal third of the esophagus to the distal portion.

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  Fig. 3 Endoscopic findings. (A) The initial endoscopic view shows a whitish pseudomembrane that nearly completely encircles the esophageal mucosa. (B) Follow-up endoscopic findings after 7 days. Hyperemic and edematous mucosa and mild whitish fibrosis can be seen on the upper and middle esophagus.

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  Fig. 4 (A, B) Endoscopic findings, showing an edematous, friable esophageal mucosa that bleeds easily on touching.

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  Fig. 5 (A, B) Endoscopic findings. A large 3.5×2.5 cm ulcer with a severely erythematous friable mucosa is seen noted 34 cm below the incisor.

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