Fluoroscopically guided endoluminal balloon dilation of esophageal stricture due to dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in two sisters

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is an inherited disorder with frequent oesophageal stricture formation. There is no satisfactory medical treatment of dysphagia however ; endoluminal balloon dilation is a novel method with satisfactory results. Intrafamilial cases of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa manifest variable clini- cal presentations. We report two sisters with dystrophic epider- molysis bullosa simultaneously presenting with dysphagia. Fluoroscopically guided endoscopic balloon dilation revealed almost complete resolution of dysphagia in both patients. Our cases represented a striking similarity in their clinical picture and response to treatment. Balloon dilation in these cases is a safe and effective approach. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2006, 69, 282-284).