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Patients who ingest caustic substances continue to pose difficult problems in diagnosis and management. Flexible endoscopy and radiological studies have helped to delineate the extent of damage caused by corrosives. Management techniques have been directed toward avoiding the development of esophageal strictures. Although a number of nonsurgical techniques are available, i.e., stenting, anticollagen agents, antibiotics, and corticosteroids none has been evaluated in well-controlled studies. In the future efforts should be made to evaluate adequately these management techniqes. Public health efforts should be made to educate the public about the dangers of caustic substances so that their threat may be diminished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A patient with typical features of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura is presented. Endoscopic features of this syndrome, not previously reported in the English-language literature, are described and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]