Recurrent esophageal candidiasis: a case report of different complications

: A 71-year-old male patient presented with recurrent acute dysphagia in 2017 on a background of previous episodes of upper esophageal food bolus obstruction and mild gastro-esophageal reflux disease several years ago. He was diagnosed with acute erosive esophagitis from candidiasis and chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia. These were treated with anti-fungal therapy and a proton pump inhibitor. A year later, he had recurrent dysphagia and found to have upper esophageal stricture and diffuse esophagitis with ulceration and hyperkeratosis. The same treatments were given but his problems recurred again another year later. Recurrent candidiasis was confirmed on esophageal biopsy and fungal culture. He was treated with a third course of anti-fungal therapy with good resolution of dysphagia symptom, esophagitis, and stricture, both clinically and endoscopically. Intramural pseudodiverticulosis of the upper esophagus was also evident during endoscopy and barium swallow study. Hyperkeratosis was persistent. He is planned for surveillance endoscopy for persistent esophageal hyperkeratosis and chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia. Ulceration, stricture, intramural pseudodiverticulosis and hyperkeratosis are the less common complications of esophageal candidiasis that we have seen all occurring on this patient. These may be further complicated by perforation or fistula formation from the inflammation and strictures, and mitotic lesion from hyperkeratosis. In conclusion, we should develop a higher level of clinical suspicion for esophageal candidiasis and recognize possible complications that may arise in severe, chronic or recurrent disease, in patients with recurrent esophageal symptoms, in order to treat them effectively.