Black Oesophagus

Acute oesophageal necrosis, also known as ‘Black Oesophagus’, is a rare endoscopic finding since its first description by Goldenberg in 1990. In endoscopic studies, the frequency ranged from 0.01% to 0.2%. The aetiology is undefined and is probably multifactorial. A 62-year-old woman, with chronic alcoholism, was admitted to the internal medicine department for dehydration and marked malnutrition problems. Melaena was detected, and oesophagogastroduodenoscopy showed black mucosa of the lower two-thirds of the oesophagus and candidiasis. The patient gradually recovered after conservative treatments (intravenous proton pump inhibitor and total parental nutrition) and fluconazole. Oesophagus stricture was developed after 1 month, and balloon dilatation was performed successfully.

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