Eosinophilic esophagitis: an update.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a disease that is being recognized with increasing frequency. In children it is responsible for feeding disorders, vomiting, reflux symptoms and abdominal pain and in adults it causes dysphagia and esophageal food impactions. The diagnosis requires the histologic finding of > 20 eosinophils per high powered field in esophageal squamous mucosa. The most common treatment regimens in children and adults involve the ingestion of topical corticosteroids. Symptomatic relapse after one treatment course is common, and many patients require repeated courses of treatment. The long-term prognosis of EE is largely unknown.