Caustic injury of the oesophagus can be a serious health problem. In the acute stage, the main threat to the patient is the risk of mediastinitis or peritonitis and – in later stages, development of stenosis of the oesophagus. In the worst cases, caustic injury can be lethal. In the ENT Dept., Masaryk Hospital, Ústí nad Labem, we had 57 patients with ingestion of caustic substances during 1998–2004. 70% of them were children under 15 years of age. 22 patients had clinical symptoms of caustic injury. Clinically significant stenosis of the oesophagus developed in 3 cases (5.2% of all patients, 13.7% of patients with clinical symptoms of caustic injury). Early endoscopic examination is particularly important in the management of caustic injury, and rigid oesophagoscopy is preferred in our department. In addition, the early use of antibiotics is necessary to prevent inflammatory complications. Usually, we use corticosteroids for prevention of stenosis of the oesophagus.

        Key words: caustic injury of the oesophagus, stenosis of the oesophagus, oesophagoscopy, corticosteroids.