The importance of esophagography in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess esophageal damage in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) with or without dysphagia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Fourteen patients with either severe generalized or another generalized form of RDEB recruited through a research and support foundation were evaluated for obstructive esophageal lesions by means of barium esophagography. RESULTS. All patients, even those without dysphagia, had at least one stenosis; fve patients had two stenoses. Stenotic lesions occurred most often (74%) in the upper third of the esophagus. CONCLUSION. Esophageal stenosis is a common complication in patients with RDEB, even when they do not have dysphagia. We recommend regular esophagographic examinations of all patients with RDEB.