A 35-year-old woman with dysphagia and food impaction undergoes barium swallow. The study reveals multiple thin, ring-like, concentric, web-like constrictions stacked along the entire length of the oesophagus, producing a 'feline' or 'ringed' oesophagus appearance. Which diagnosis is MOST likely?

• A Reflux oesophagitis
• B Eosinophilic oesophagitis ✓
• C Oesophageal varices
• D Corrosive stricture

Explanation

Eosinophilic oesophagitis classically produces multiple thin, ring-like, concentric oesophageal constrictions (feline or ringed oesophagus) on barium swallow, often with a history of dysphagia and food impaction, especially in young males and atopic individuals. Reflux oesophagitis produces distal peptic strictures, not multiple ring-like constrictions along the entire oesophagus. Oesophageal varices show serpiginous defects, not concentric rings. Corrosive stricture produces a long, smooth, tapered stricture, not multiple ring-like constrictions.

Reference: Gore and Levine's Textbook of Gastrointestinal Radiology, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.