Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Navigating an Uncharted Territory
Lymphocytic esophagitis (LE) is an uncommon subtype of esophagitis defined by persistent esophageal inflammation characterized by a high count of intraepithelial lymphocytes with scarce granulocytes. Although LE can present with atypical features such as chest pain, its clinical presentation can mim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096251313734 |
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| author | Ahmad Jradi MD Kaline Maya Khoury MD Karam Karam MD Dr. Ihab I. El Hajj MD Elias Fiani MD |
| author_facet | Ahmad Jradi MD Kaline Maya Khoury MD Karam Karam MD Dr. Ihab I. El Hajj MD Elias Fiani MD |
| author_sort | Ahmad Jradi MD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lymphocytic esophagitis (LE) is an uncommon subtype of esophagitis defined by persistent esophageal inflammation characterized by a high count of intraepithelial lymphocytes with scarce granulocytes. Although LE can present with atypical features such as chest pain, its clinical presentation can mimic that of gastroesophageal reflux disease or eosinophilic esophagitis, highlighting the importance of biopsy in diagnosing LE. Studies are still limited in understanding the pathophysiology behind this disease warranting further research. A 47-year-old female patient sought medical care with a chief complaint of recurrent substernal chest pain for the past year. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed and showed patchy linear esophageal erosions and mucosal edema in the middle third of the esophagus with mild erythema. Biopsies revealed intraepithelial lymphocytosis with more than 40 lymphocytes per high-power field, corroborating a diagnosis of LE. Patient reported improvement after receiving high dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on her first follow-up, advised to follow a low-acid diet and an annual endoscopy to monitor her response to treatment. Lymphocytic esophagitis often presents with symptoms that overlap with other esophageal diseases explaining the possible errors in underdiagnosing it as reason behind non-cardiac chest pain. This case plays an instrumental role in changing the way physicians translate unexplained chest pain, adding LE to their list of differential diagnosis as prompt detection slows us to start management with PPIs quicker and lessen the burden of symptoms on the patient. Standardized treatment approaches and further studies are required to clarify the connection between LE and non-cardiac chest discomfort. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d55f60fb5c4c45bfbb23914697b87aac |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2324-7096 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-d55f60fb5c4c45bfbb23914697b87aac2025-01-31T06:03:42ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports2324-70962025-01-011310.1177/23247096251313734Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Navigating an Uncharted TerritoryAhmad Jradi MD0Kaline Maya Khoury MD1Karam Karam MD2Dr. Ihab I. El Hajj MD3Elias Fiani MD4University of Balamand, Beirut, LebanonUniversity of Balamand, Beirut, LebanonUniversity of Balamand, Beirut, LebanonSaint George University of Beirut (SGUB), LebanonUniversity of Balamand, Beirut, LebanonLymphocytic esophagitis (LE) is an uncommon subtype of esophagitis defined by persistent esophageal inflammation characterized by a high count of intraepithelial lymphocytes with scarce granulocytes. Although LE can present with atypical features such as chest pain, its clinical presentation can mimic that of gastroesophageal reflux disease or eosinophilic esophagitis, highlighting the importance of biopsy in diagnosing LE. Studies are still limited in understanding the pathophysiology behind this disease warranting further research. A 47-year-old female patient sought medical care with a chief complaint of recurrent substernal chest pain for the past year. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed and showed patchy linear esophageal erosions and mucosal edema in the middle third of the esophagus with mild erythema. Biopsies revealed intraepithelial lymphocytosis with more than 40 lymphocytes per high-power field, corroborating a diagnosis of LE. Patient reported improvement after receiving high dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) on her first follow-up, advised to follow a low-acid diet and an annual endoscopy to monitor her response to treatment. Lymphocytic esophagitis often presents with symptoms that overlap with other esophageal diseases explaining the possible errors in underdiagnosing it as reason behind non-cardiac chest pain. This case plays an instrumental role in changing the way physicians translate unexplained chest pain, adding LE to their list of differential diagnosis as prompt detection slows us to start management with PPIs quicker and lessen the burden of symptoms on the patient. Standardized treatment approaches and further studies are required to clarify the connection between LE and non-cardiac chest discomfort.https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096251313734 |
| spellingShingle | Ahmad Jradi MD Kaline Maya Khoury MD Karam Karam MD Dr. Ihab I. El Hajj MD Elias Fiani MD Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Navigating an Uncharted Territory Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports |
| title | Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Navigating an Uncharted Territory |
| title_full | Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Navigating an Uncharted Territory |
| title_fullStr | Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Navigating an Uncharted Territory |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Navigating an Uncharted Territory |
| title_short | Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Navigating an Uncharted Territory |
| title_sort | lymphocytic esophagitis navigating an uncharted territory |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096251313734 |
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