A case of deep, wide drug-induced esophageal ulcer

Sang Hoon Park,; You Jin Kang,; Soo Min Kim,; Mi Hui Park,; Eaum Seok Lee,; Gye Sung Lee,; Hyoun Mo Kang,

Korean J Med > Volume 77(1); 2009 > Article

Original Article

The Korean Journal of Medicine 2009;77(1):16-20.

A case of deep, wide drug-induced esophageal ulcer

Sang Hoon Park, You Jin Kang, Soo Min Kim, Mi Hui Park, Eaum Seok Lee, Gye Sung Lee, Hyoun Mo Kang

크고 넓은 식도 궤양으로 나타난 약인성 식도염 1예

박상훈, 강유진, 김수민, 박미희, 이엄석, 이계성, 강현모

Abstract

There are many possible causes of esophageal ulcer, including reflux esophagitis, the ingestion of foreign bodies or caustic agents, radiation exposure, viral infections, tuberculosis, Candida infection, Bechet’s disease, and esophageal cancer. Patients with drug-induced esophagitis typically have a history of ingesting medication with little or no fluid immediately before going to bed. Here, we present the case of a 31-year-old man complaining of dysphagia and odynophagia for 4 days. The patient reported taking oral medication for acute sinusitis 12 days prior. Endoscopic examination revealed a large, deep esophageal ulcer consistent with esophageal cancer or cytomegalovirus esophagitis. The exam also revealed several esophageal erosions resembling herpes simplex virus esophagitis. However, based on the patient’s history and subsequent histologic findings, drug-induced esophagitis was diagnosed and the patient was successfully treated with a proton pump inhibitor. Lesions showed improvement upon follow-up endoscopy 1 month later.

Key Words: Drug-induced esophagitis