Pediatric Corrosive Esophagitis

  • Etiology: Esophagitis or gastritis caused by ingestion of alkaline substance such as bleach or lye or an acid substance such as a drain cleaner
  • Imaging UpperGI of Alakaline Ingestion:
    — Initially esophagitis of middle and distal esophagus with sparring of the stomach along with esophageal atony and esophageal dilation and esophageal perforation
    — Later esophageal strictures in middle and distal esophagus that can be single and long or multiple and shorter
  • Imaging UpperGI of Acid Ingestion: Sparing of the esophagus with gastritis especially of the gastric antrum
  • DDX: Other forms of esophagitis
  • Complications: Acutely esophageal perforation while chronically esophageal stricture or gastric stricture
  • Treatment:
  • Clinical: Presents with dysphagia

Radiology Cases of Corrosive Esophagitis

Radiology Cases of Corrosive Esophagitis Due to Alkaline Ingestion

UpperGI of corrosive esophagitis due to lye ingestion
Lateral image from an upper GI exam obtained 2 weeks after the ingestion (left) shows mild esophageal ulceration and atony of the esophagus. Lateral image from an upper GI exam obtained 4 weeks after the ingestion (right) shows multiple stricture in the mid and distal esophagus.

Radiology Cases of Corrosive Gastritis Due to Acid Ingestion

Upper GI of gastritis due to acid ingestion
AP image from an upper GI exam shows a very distended stomach with a large air fluid level within it. Gastric emptying was extremely slow due to marked narrowing of the gastric antrum caused by gastritis. The esophagus was normal in appearance