ESOPHAGEAL NECROSIS

Course overview

ACUTE ESOPHAGEAL NECROSIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION RESULTING IN ACUTE ISCHEMIA OF THE ESOPHAGUS. IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH A LOCAL INSULT TO THE ESOPHAGUS IN MEDICALLY CO-MORBID PATIENTS. PROMPT DIAGNOSIS AND AGGRESSIVE SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT ARE NEEDED IN THE INITIAL SETTING WITH EARLY CONSIDERATION OF SURGICAL INTERVENTION TO PREVENT POOR OUTCOMES. THIS REVIEW EVALUATES THE ETIOLOGY AND CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF ACUTE ESOPHAGEAL NECROSIS AND THE KEY MANAGEMENT STEPS REQUIRED BY THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM TO TREAT THIS RARE ENTITY.