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Lower esophageal ring (Schatzki) Causes and Risks:
The cause is probably a congenital defect. Esophageal rings may also occur as a result of drinking a caustic material and subsequent scar formation. The condition may produce swallowing difficulties . Reflux does usually not occur with this condition. Risk factors are unknown. The incidence is 4 out of 10,000 people.
Prevention:
Not applicable.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Tests that show the lower esophageal ring include:
Treatment:
Usually, thorough chewing of food resolves the swallowing difficulty . An alternative treatment consists of dilating the ring by passing an endoscope or dilator through the ring. Surgical cutting (excision) of the ring may be necessary if dilation is unsuccessful.
Prognosis:
The outcome is usually good with treatment.
Complications:
There are usually no complications except for the noted swallowing difficulty and chest pain .
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop (to rule out other causes of the symptoms and to determine the best treatment for you).
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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