What Is an Esophageal Stricture?
Esophageal strictures can be caused by congenital esophageal strictures (also known as congenital esophageal rings and esophageal webs), or by scar tissue (secondary stenosis) caused by esophageal cancer, esophageal inflammation, or swallowing of corrosive substances. The main clinical manifestations are difficulty swallowing, pain during swallowing, weight loss, and food reflux after meals. Esophageal dilatation is the most common treatment for esophageal strictures, esophageal rings, and esophageal webs.
- English name
- esophageal stenosis
- Visiting department
- Gastroenterology
- Common locations
- esophagus
- Common causes
- Secondary stenosis is mostly due to esophageal tumors, esophageal dysmotility, anastomotic stenosis after esophagogastric anastomosis, scarring due to esophagitis or burns, etc.
- Common symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing, pain during swallowing, weight loss, and food reflux after meals
Basic Information
Causes of esophageal stenosis
- There are many causes of esophageal stenosis, which can be caused by congenital esophageal strictures (also known as congenital esophageal rings and webs). Secondary stenosis is more common in esophageal tumors, esophageal dysmotility, anastomotic stenosis after esophagogastric anastomosis, scar stenosis caused by esophagitis or burns.
Clinical manifestations of esophageal stricture
- Difficulty swallowing is the main symptom of esophageal stricture. In addition, swallowing is accompanied by pain, weight loss, and food reflux after meals.
Esophageal stricture examination
- According to clinical symptoms and medical history, combined with X-ray barium meal, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can assist diagnosis.
Diagnosis of esophageal stenosis
- X-ray barium meal and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (biopsy histopathology) examination can assist diagnosis.
Esophageal stricture treatment
- The main purpose of endoscopic treatment is to relieve the patient's swallowing difficulties. The current treatment methods for endoscopic esophageal stenosis mainly include endoscopic dilatation and stent placement, including probe expansion and balloon expansion.
- 1. Probe expansion refers to the insertion of a hard tapered instrument called a dilator into the stenosis. A few days or weeks later, a series of wider dilators are used to gradually open the esophagus.
- 2. Balloon Expansion Insert a balloon that can be filled with air or water into the esophagus. When the balloon is full, the goal of treating stenosis is achieved. These two methods need to be repeated many times, sometimes it must be repeated every six months or one year when the symptoms recur. If the expansion is ineffective, surgery is needed to remove the scar tissue.