Infectious and Noninfectious Esophagitis

Abstract

In addition to gastroesophageal reflux which is the most common cause of esophagitis, there are so various etiologic factors which can cause esophageal injury. In immunocompromised patients, infectious esophagitis due to virus and fungi is frequently developed. Although pathologic review is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of viral esophagitis, endoscopic examination is very useful to diagnose Candida esophagitis where multiple white mucosal plaquelike lesions are typical. Esophagitis can develop because of various noninfectious causes such as trauma, chemical injury, and radiation. In these cases, precise history taking in addition to endoscopic findings is important. In pill-induced esophagitis, symmetrical kissing-type ulcers are frequent. Esophagitis also can be presented as a kind of clinical manifestation of other systemic or skin diseases. In this chapter, endoscopic findings of various types of esophagitis except reflux esophagitis will be discussed with examples.