Crohn's disease of the esophagus.

Abstract

Two cases of Crohn's disease involving the esophagus are described. Both patients had Crohn's disease elsewhere. Multiple intramural fistulous tracts are seen in both patients, and this is a characteristic feature of Crohn's disease. One patient developed a spontaneous esophago-bronchial fistula. Even though the esophageal involvement of Crohn's disease is rare, it should be suspected when a chronic esophageal inflammatory lesion develops in a patient who has Crohn's disease elsewhere, especially without hiatus hernia or other chronic disease.