1993 Volume 42 Pages 58-62
Corrosive esophagitis can safely be observed by endoscopy at an acute phase. However, histologic changes associated with corrosive esophagitis are not well studied. We made histologic observations on corrosive esophagitis induced in rabbits. We ascertained that endoscopic findings between esophagitis in patients and rabbits were similar.
Results are summarized in the table. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) produced histologic damages on the esophagus in a concentration dependent manner. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) produced more severe injuries as compared to those induced by hydrochloric acid. Endoscopic findings on esophagitis induced by Paraquat were less severe as compared to those induced by HCl or NaOH. Histologic damages of the esophagitis induced by Paraquat were mild to moderate degree, but they involved deeper layers.
The corrosive esophagitis induced by house-hold detergents appeared to be related to the amounts of HCl or NaOH, but not to surfactants.
