Diagnosis of esophagitis

Medical history - inquire about medical history

Given the large number of causes for the Esophagitis, the person concerned must be asked in particular in detail about the type of his complaints and the time of their occurrence (anamnese).
This can explain thermal and chemical burn-related esophagitis.
The medication and how it was taken must also be inquired about. In this way, some causes can be excluded or confirmed before the examinations and invasive diagnostics.

Physical examination

The physical exam can often show seminal results specific to certain forms of the disease Esophagitis close.
In the Thrush esophagitis In 75% of the cases, the oral cavity is also infected by the yeast fungus (Oral thrush), which makes it easier to diagnose esophagitis.

In the Herpetic esophagitis the lips and the oral mucosa are often infected with the typical Cold sore.
If one is suspected Cytomegaly esophagitis In many cases, other organs can be infested; particular attention should be paid to the infestation of the Retina (retina) give.

Endoscopy - esophagogastroscopy

The "mirroring" (Endoscopy) of the esophagus for the direct assessment and classification of damage to the mucous membranes is the method of choice for confirming the diagnosis and direct assessment of the damage caused. Via a hose camera (endoscope) images are transferred to a monitor. During the endoscopy you can also Tissue samples (biopsy) can be taken from suspicious areas of the mucous membrane.
In the case of esophagitis of unknown origin, esophagoscopy can often reveal specific findings that suggest a specific cause of the disease.

You can find more information on the topics here Endoscopy and biopsy

At a Thrush esophagitis The endoscopic findings show typical white-yellowish, firmly adhering coatings (so-called stripes).
In the CMV esophagitis show few but large, superficial, flat ulcers (Ulcerations).
The Herpetic esophagitis shows rather many smaller, but deep ulcers.

In the case of mechanical irritative esophagitis, a localized swelling is usually seen, accompanied by reddening or even bleeding.
The burned one esophagus is shown by speckled whitish deposits on the mucous membrane.