Esophageal Stricture (narrowing) - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Information

Esophageal Stricture (narrowing): Overview

Esophageal stricture, also called benign stricture of the esophagus, is a narrowing of the esophagus, causing swallowing difficulties.

Incidence; Causes and Development; Contributing Risk Factors

The overall incidence is about 1 in 500 people.

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
Injuries caused by endoscopes.

Risk factors are related to the causes.

Diagnosis and Tests

Diagnosis involves using a barium swallow and/or endoscopy to show narrowing of the esophagus.

Treatment and Prevention

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; Complications

Recurrence of the stricture is possible.

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.

Esophageal Stricture

Information On This Page

Signs and symptoms Contributing risk factors

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Esophageal Stricture (narrowing):

Symptoms - Food - General

Difficulty swallowing

Difficulty swallowing, pain with swallowing, weight loss and regurgitation of food are the main symptoms.

Painful swallowing

Symptoms - Metabolic

Major unexplained weight loss may be a sign or symptom of Esophageal Stricture (narrowing)

Very great/moderate/major unexplained weight loss

Risk factors for Esophageal Stricture (narrowing):

Digestion

Gastric/Peptic/Duodenal Ulcers

A chronic ulcer causes swelling and inflammation of the gastric and duodenal tissues. Over time, scarring may close the pylorus, the lower end of the esophagus, thus preventing the passage of food and causing vomiting and weight loss.

KEY

Weak or unproven link:

may be a sign or symptom of; may increase risk of

Strong or generally accepted link:

is often a sign or symptom of

Esophageal Stricture(narrowing)