The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 26, 364-374, Copyright © 1978 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Monilial esophagitis: an increasingly frequent cause of esophageal stenosis?
MB Orringer and H Sloan
Acute monilial esophagitis generally responds well to oral nystatin
therapy, and long-term sequelae of this condition have not been well
recognized. Nor is it generally appreciated that Candida infections of the
esophagus may occur in subacute or chronic form. Four men, 34, 40, 41, and
49 years old, have been treated for esophageal stenoses resulting from
different types of chronic monilial esophageal involvement. All were seen
with painless dysphagia and strictures of the upper half of the thoracic
esophagus. In 2 patients, an associated roentgenographic pattern of
"intramural esophageal pseudodiverticulosis" was present. Two patients have
been treated successfully with esophageal dilation, 1 required substernal
colonic bypass of the stenotic, perforated esophagus, and 1 is being
evaluated for esophageal bypass. Esophageal moniliasis must be considered
in the differential diagnosis of benign esophageal strictures, particularly
those involving the upper half of the thoracic esophagus.
