Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42021489›Full record

ArticleAnnals of African medicine2026

Bisphosphonate-induced Esophagitis Dissecans Superficialis: A Rare Case Report.

Yogesh Bade, Junaid Ahmed, Vikas Bharti

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Article in Annals of African medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Yogesh BadeDepartment of Medical Gastroenterology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Junaid Ahmed
Vikas Bharti

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

abstractEsophagitis dissecans superficialis (EDS), also referred to as "sloughing esophagitis," is an uncommon benign condition characterized by the desquamation of the superficial layer of the esophageal squamous mucosa. It is often underdiagnosed due to its rarity and nonspecific clinical presentation. Although several factors such as caustic ingestion, thermal injury, autoimmune disorders, and mechanical trauma have been implicated, medication-induced mucosal injury remains one of the most significant causes. Among these, bisphosphonates - a class of drugs widely prescribed for osteoporosis and other bone-related disorders - have been identified as a potential offending agent. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with no significant comorbidities who presented with persistent retrosternal burning and pain for 2 months. There was no associated dysphagia, odynophagia, vomiting, hematemesis, weight loss, or history of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Physical and systemic examinations were unremarkable. Despite treatment with double-dose esomeprazole for 8 weeks, her symptoms persisted. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a large area of whitish sloughed-off mucosa overlying a superficial ulcer with regular margins, extending from 26 cm to just above the gastroesophageal junction. A detailed drug history subsequently revealed the use of bisphosphonate gel for osteoporosis. Histopathological analysis demonstrated sloughed squamous epithelium with the features of superficial mucosal necrosis, confirming the diagnosis of EDS secondary to bisphosphonate-induced chemical injury. Discontinuation of the bisphosphonate and continuation of proton-pump inhibitor therapy led to complete symptom resolution within 2 weeks. This case underscores the importance of considering drug-induced esophageal injury in patients with refractory retrosternal pain unresponsive to acid suppression therapy. Bisphosphonates, although highly effective in osteoporosis management, may cause significant mucosal damage when not used properly. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for bisphosphonate-induced EDS, as timely recognition and withdrawal of the offending agent usually result in rapid clinical and endoscopic improvement.

Indexed as

Bone Density Conservation AgentsDiphosphonatesEsophagitisAgedFemaleHumansOsteoporosisTreatment OutcomeBone Density Conservation AgentsDiphosphonatesBisphosphonate-induced esophagitischemical esophagitisendoscopie digestive hauteesophagitis dissecans superficialismuqueuse desquaméeœsophagite chimiqueœsophagite disséquante superficielleŒsophagite induite par les bisphosphonatessloughed mucosaupper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Identifiers

PMID42021489
PMCPMC13638151

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.