Esophageal food bolus impaction in pediatric age.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr
; 78(6): 1398-1402, 2024 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38623937
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Esophageal food impaction (EFI) is the sudden onset of dysphagia that occurs when a food bolus becomes lodged in the esophagus, requiring endoscopic removal. Scientific data on the prevalence and causes of EFI in children is lacking. The aim of this study was to provide further insights into EFI episodes in children.METHODS:
We have prospectively enrolled all children admitted for a first episode of EFI between March 2018 and March 2023. A fluoroscopic contrast study was performed in all patients to confirm the boluses and assess their position. Boluses were extracted by esophagogastroduodenoscopies, and esophageal biopsies were routinely obtained for histologic evaluation.RESULTS:
Over the study period, 41 children were admitted for a first episode of food impaction. Drooling was the most commonly reported symptom. Half children experiencing a first episode of food bolus were diagnosed with EoE (20/41, 48.8%). Almost a fourth of the episodes subtended a different condition, such as esophageal anastomotic, peptic or congenital strictures, stricturing caustic esophagitis, esophageal duplication, and achalasia. In the last fourth of patients the cause of EFI was not identified and thus probably related to quick eating and inadequate chewing of food.DISCUSSION:
Our study represents the largest known series of pediatric patients evaluated for food bolus impaction. Our main finding is the high frequency of EoE, which accounts for a half of EFI episodes in pediatric age, especially in older children. This finding highlights the importance of obtaining esophageal biopsies after the endoscopic bolus removal in children with EFI to provide a complete diagnostic evaluation.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Deglutition Disorders
/
Esophagus
/
Food
/
Foreign Bodies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
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Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
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Infant
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Male
Language:
En
Journal:
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy