Endoscopy Outperforms CT in Diagnosing Serious Esophageal Corrosive Injuries

Esophageal corrosive injuries, predominantly from intentional alkaline ingestion, present serious medical hurdles, with a mortality rate of 6.2% and stricture formation occurring in 24.7% of cases. A comprehensive meta-analysis of 44 studies highlighted that endoscopy demonstrates higher sensitivity (82.4%) than computed tomography (63.8%) for predicting adverse outcomes. The study emphasizes a critical need for targeted management strategies for high-risk patients, especially those with grade III injuries, to mitigate morbidity and mortality.