UNASSIGNED: EoEHSS was used to prospectively evaluate the severity and extent of changes in multiple histopathologic features (PEC; basal zone hyperplasia (BZH); eosinophilic abscesses (EA); eosinophil surface layering (ESL); dilated intercellular spaces (DIS); surface epithelial alteration (SEA); dyskeratotic epithelial cells (DEC); lamina propria fibrosis (LPF)) in the mid and distal esophageal biopsies in 85 pediatric patients at a tertiary medical center. These patients were divided into three cohorts: EoE-A (n = 36), EoE-R (n = 12) and GERD (n = 37).
UNASSIGNED: Total grade (severity) and stage (extent) scores were significantly higher in EoE-A compared to EoE-R and GERD patients in both the mid and the distal esophagus. The mean total grade scores in the mid esophagus, but not the distal esophagus remained higher in EoE-R as compared to GERD patients. Specific histopathologic features independent of PEC were different in distal and mid esophagus in EoE-A. About one-half of children with active EoE had different EoEHSS scores in their mid and distal esophageal biopsies.
UNASSIGNED: EoEHSS yields histologic insights beyond those derived from PEC and helps in more objective, reproducible and accurate diagnosis of EoE and GERD. It also provides a more comprehensive understanding into the pathophysiology of EoE.