Acute esophageal necrosis

Acute esophageal necrosis (black esophagus):

- rare finding at endoscopy

- typical endoscopic appearance is black coloration of the esophageal mucosa

- unknown etiology, most likely multifactorial, ischemia may play a key role

- histologically the mucosal change consists of severe inflammation and necrosis of the mucosa

- possible causes: severe vomiting, NG tube, infection, hypotension and shock

- treatment is symptomatic

- prognosis is determined by the severity of underlying disease