Esophagitis refers to inflammation of the esophagus.
Pathology
Esophagitis can arise from a range of causes which include:
Radiographic features
Fluoroscopy
Radiographic signs of esophagitis depend on the fluoroscopic technique used, but include 3:
- mucosal irregularity
- erosions and ulcerations
- abnormal motility
- thickened esophageal folds (>3 mm)
- limited esophageal distensibility
- esophageal strictures
- intramural pseudodiverticulosis
- ulcers are a hallmark finding of esophagitis
- small ulcers (<1 cm)
- reflux esophagitis
- Herpes esophagitis
- acute radiation-induced esophagitis
- drug-induced esophagitis
- benign mucus membrane pemphigoid
- larger ulcers (>1 cm)
- small ulcers (<1 cm)
CT
Findings of esophagitis are non-specific and require interpretation in the correct clinical setting 1,4:
- long segment circumferential mural (>5 mm) thickening
- enhancing mucosa with mural edema ("target sign): ~20%
- esophageal ulceration and fistulas