A Dire Presentation of Diabetic Ketoacidosis with "Black Esophagus"

Abstract

Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is a rare life-threatening illness that is being increasingly recognized in the past two decades. It usually develops in the setting of severe systemic illness due to a combination of tissue hypoperfusion, impaired mucosal defenses and gastric reflux. The most common presentation is with upper gastrointestinal bleeding complicating diabetic ketoacidosis, sepsis, pancreatitis, trauma, shock, renal failure, alcohol poisoning or other states of hemodynamic compromise. The classic finding on endoscopy is of necrosis of the distal esophagus with a sharp transition to normal gastric mucosa at the gastroesophageal junction. Management is aimed at treating the underlying insult and providing supportive care. We report a case of "black esophagus" complicating an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis in a 34-year-old male. The patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, antifungals and a high-dose proton pump inhibitor in addition to the treatment of ketoacidosis. No serious acute or long-term complication was identified and follow-up endoscopy showed resolution of necrosis.