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Esophageal stricture (benign) Causes and Risks:
Causes include reflux esophagitis (which causes constant irritation from gastric secretions), prolonged use of a nasogastric tube, ingestion of corrosive substances, viral or bacterial infections, treatment of esophageal varices , and injuries caused by endoscopes. Risk factors are related to the causes. The incidence is 2 out of 1000 people.
Prevention:
Prevention is related to the causes. For example, use safety measures to avoid ingestion of corrosive substances (keep dangerous products out of the reach of children).
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
Dilation of the esophagus is the preferred treatment. Repeated dilation may be necessary to prevent the recurrence of the narrowing. If dilation is unsuccessful, surgical replacement of the esophagus with a segment of the stomach or large intestine may be attempted.
Prognosis:
Recurrence of the stricture is possible.
Complications:
Swallowing difficulties may lead to inadequate intake of fluids and nutrients. There is also an increased risk (with regurgitation) of having food, fluid, or vomitus enter the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia .
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if swallowing difficulty persists.
A solution containing a dye (barium), which is visible on X-rays, has been swallowed (upper GI series) and X-rays have been taken of the esophagus. There is a narrowing near the stomach (indicated by the arrow). This non-cancerous ring of tissue
(Shatzki's ring) may cause swallowing problems (dysphagia) and can be treated with dilatation of the stricture.
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