Four cases of desquamative esophagitis occurring after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

We herein report four patients with desquamative esophagitis that developed one to nine days after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Three patients underwent allogeneic PBSCT for leukemia, and the other underwent autologous PBSCT for pineoblastoma. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed mucosal sloughing and fresh blood in the esophagus. Fasting and intravenous proton pump inhibitor therapy in addition to blood transfusion improved the esophageal lesions within five to seven days in three patients. These cases indicate that desquamative esophagitis can occur in patients who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although blood transfusions may be required, it can be resolved within seven days.