How Is Eosinophilic Esophagitis Diagnosed?
Your specialist at Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Allergic Disorders Clinic will ask about your child’s symptoms and do a physical exam. Your family history is also important, since EoE can sometimes run in families.
If your specialist suspects that your child may have EoE, they will recommend an upper endoscopy, which is the only way to diagnose this condition accurately. With this test, the doctor passes a thin, flexible tube with a camera through the mouth and into the esophagus. This allows the doctor to examine the area for furrows or multiple white plaques, which are typical signs of EoE.
During the upper endoscopy, the patient is sedated and the doctor will take several tissue samples that will be examined in a lab. These biopsies show if there are eosinophils present in the tissue, which is the definitive sign of EoE.
For older children, we provide the option of transnasal endoscopy, a procedure in which the flexible tube with a camera is passed from the nose to the esophagus while the patient is awake, eliminating the need for sedation. This approach reduces the risks associated with sedation and allowing for a quicker recovery. Our skilled team ensures a safe and supportive environment for your child during the procedure.
Upper endoscopies also may be done after treatment to determine if they have been effective. Allergy tests, such as skin-prick tests, skin-patch tests or blood tests, may be used to help to find out which foods might be triggering your child’s EoE and to evaluate for other allergic conditions that may coexist with EoE.
