Aim: Black esophagus, or acute esophageal necrosis, is a rare entity with multifactorial aetiology. Modern theories suggest a combination of ischemia, compromised mucosa defences and corrosive agent's injury.
Material And Methods: We investigated black esophagus by means of a retrospective review of 26 cases in literature. A Medline overview is performed until May 2021 by considering the Italian results. The search terms were "black esophageal syndrome in Italy", "black esophagus in Italy", "black esophageal necrosis in Italy", and "Gurvits syndrome in Italy". To complete these case reports, we illustrate our first experience of the syndrome successfully treated with esophagectomy, cervical diversion and gastrostomy.
Results: Black esophagus is common in adult males (M/F: 21/5) (Range: 47-89 years; Average: 70.6 year-old). The most common symptoms are hematemesis, epigastric pain and dysphagia. Endoscopically, diffuse involvement of acute esophageal necrosis is diagnosed in 42.3% of cases. The treatment consisted on red blood cell transfusions, sucralfate administration, proton pump-inhibition, enteral nutrition and antimicrobial agents. Overall mortality was 38.4% and only one case underwent surgery for acute bleeding.
Conclusions: Black esophagus is often reversible both anatomically and functionally. Its treatment is based on supported therapies and hemodynamic resuscitation. This syndrome shows high mortality related to the coexisted medical conditions rather than acute esophageal necrosis. Only in selected cases, surgical treatment is indicated.
Key Words: Acute necrotizing esophagitis, Black esophagus, Ischemia.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Marchiafava-Bignami Type A Disease: A Rare Neurological Manifestation in Oropharyngeal Cancer.
Cureus
December 2024
Internal Medicine Service, Pedro Hispano Hospital - Matosinhos Local Health Unit, Matosinhos, Porto, PRT.
Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare condition characterized by demyelination and necrosis of the corpus callosum, most commonly associated with chronic alcohol consumption. However, it can also occur in non-alcoholic patients and may present secondary to other underlying conditions. We report a case of a 52-year-old male with no history of alcohol use or significant comorbidities, presenting with impaired consciousness and severe malnutrition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnusual presentation of esophageal tuberculosis: a case study.
BMC Infect Dis
January 2025
Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Treatment Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, 368 Yehai Road, Haikou, 570311, China.
Background: Esophageal ulcers can arise not only from malignant lesions but also from benign diseases, such as tuberculosis. These ulcers may mimic the radiological features of esophageal malignancy or tuberculosis on PET/CT, leading to diagnostic challenges.
Case Presentation: A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a month-long history of progressive painful swallowing, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
The Black Esophagus: A Rare Case Presentation.
Cureus
December 2024
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, USA.
Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN), also known as black esophagus or Gurvits syndrome, is an uncommon endoscopic finding characterized by diffuse, circumferential, black discoloration of the esophagus that terminates at the gastroesophageal junction. The incidence of AEN has been reported to be 0-0.2% in autopsy series and up to 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEsophageal perforation mimicking an acute inferior myocardial infarction: a case report.
J Thorac Dis
November 2024
Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China.
Background: Esophageal perforation is a rare but life-threatening condition associated with a high mortality rate and often presents with nonspecific clinical manifestations that can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. When combined with ST-segment elevation on electrocardiography (ECG), it can be particularly challenging to distinguish esophageal perforation from acute inferior myocardial infarction, as the two conditions may share similar ECG findings.
Case Description: We report the case of a 65-year-old man with a significant history of long-term alcohol consumption who presented to our hospital (the Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine) with persistent oppressive pain in the anterior and posterior left chest.
First Case Report of Bilateral Avascular Necrosis in an Eosinophilic Esophagitis Patient on Swallowed Fluticasone.
Cureus
November 2024
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, ARE.
Article Synopsis
- * A 28-year-old man with worsening EoE symptoms, treated with fluticasone via inhaler for seven years, developed limping and groin pain leading to hip replacements after MRI confirmed bilateral AVN.
- * After stopping the inhaled steroid and starting dupilumab treatment, the patient’s EoE symptoms improved significantly, highlighting the importance of recognizing potential serious side effects of topical corticosteroids among healthcare professionals.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!