Thursday, August 21, 2008

Who Got Scope Now??

As many of you now know, Ross has been presenting with eosinophilic esophagitis-type symptoms. After having difficulty swallowing and feeling like someone has been strangling him for the past week, Ross was finally scoped yesterday afternoon. The procedure went well, but the esophagus did not look so good. The pictures showed esophageal rings, furrowing, white plaque, and strictures. He had dilation done to stretch out the stricture (fancy word for narrowing). Although the doctor wouldn't say it and he leans more to the thought of reflux verses EE; let me show you why we believe that he also has EE...besides the fact that our daughter has it.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Endoscopy Findings: white plaques, stipple-like exudates, linear fissures, trachealization (ringed esophagus), strictures
Reflux esophagitis / gastroesophageal reflux disease / GERD
Endoscopy Findings: linear ulcers at distal esophagus, often with exudate; also erythema or edema; normal in 50-60% of symptomatic patients - thus biopsy required if clinically suggestive of reflux esophagitis even if normal endoscopy
This information was taken from an article found online at the following address: http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/esophagus.html#crohn
I'm no doctor, but the fact that Abigail has already been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis and the evidence that Ross has all of the endoscopy findings supporting EE; I am betting that he does in fact have it. But like I said, I'm no doctor...maybe I should have been! :) Anyway, the results will be in within 12-14 days.

1 comments:

Kristen said...

And you of all people know that God only gives you what you can handle.... I'm sure that finding out about all of this now is because He knew that you were the expert on EE -- and you are the best person to take care of Abigail AND Ross... Now you'll just have to start on the book for the mom and wife dealing with EE... Praying for you and the rest of the family!