The Black Esophagus

Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN), commonly referred to as black esophagus, is a rare clinical condition resulting from a combination of ischemic insult and thromboembolic injury to the esophagus. It is characterized by the circumferential black appearance of the esophagus. The risk factors for the development of AEN include coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, malignancy, and alcohol use disorder. The treatment is directed at correcting the underlying medical conditions, supportive measures, and gastric acid suppression. We present the case of a 60-year-old female with multiple medical comorbidities who was detected to have a black esophagus during the evaluation of anemia. Categories: Internal Medicine, Pathology, Gastroenterology

[1]  W. Ullah,et al.  Acute oesophageal necrosis: a rare but potentially fatal association of cocaine use , 2018, BMJ Case Reports.

[2]  F. Gandolfo,et al.  Black Esophagus: New Insights and Multicenter International Experience in 2014 , 2015, Digestive Diseases and Sciences.

[3]  G. Gurvits.  Black esophagus: acute esophageal necrosis syndrome. , 2010, World journal of gastroenterology.

[4]  M. I. Nassar,et al.  Black esophagus: a case report , 2008, Cases journal.

[5]  P. Pasricha,et al.  Esophageal infarction , 2007, Current treatment options in gastroenterology.

[6]  N. Gualtieri,et al.  Acute esophageal necrosis: a rare syndrome , 2007, Journal of Gastroenterology.

[7]  Kazuaki Inoue,et al.  Acute necrotizing esophagitis: role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , 2006, Journal of gastroenterology.

[8]  S. Hervé,et al.  Acute esophageal necrosis: a 1-year prospective study. , 2002, Gastrointestinal endoscopy.

[9]  M. Zaballa,et al.  Idiopathic Acute Esophageal Necrosis: Not Necessarily a Terminal Event , 1993, Endoscopy.