Caustic injury: can CT grading system enable prediction of esophageal stricture?

Background: The aim of this study was to test the utility of our computed tomography (CT) grading system, compared with endoscopy, for association with the development of esophageal stricture in patients with caustic ingestion.

Methods: This retrospective case series involved 49 patients with caustic ingestion from 1998 to 2009. The degree of esophageal damage was graded using a scoring system based on the extent of esophageal wall edema and the damage in adjacent tissue as seen on thoracoabdominal CT scans.