Sloughing Esophagitis

Definition

Esophageal disorder characterized by sloughing of large patches of superficial mucosa

Strips and patches of superficial layers of squamous mucosa
- Frequently necrotic (mummified)
- Bacterial and fungal colonies frequent
- Usually suprabasal
Acute and/or chronic inflammation variable or absent
- Usually sparse
Parakeratosis in all cases
- Orthokeratosis is variable
Usually visible endoscopically as strips and patches of detaching white mucosa
- Some cases not recognized endoscopically
Identical findings have been described in some patients with bullous pemphigoid

Robert V Rouse MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342

Original posting / last update: 2/3/10, 6/2/15