- Esophageal stricture
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Esophageal stricture Classification and external resources 
Endoscopic image of a benign peptic strictureICD-10 K22.2 ICD-9 530.3 DiseasesDB 31502 MedlinePlus 000207 eMedicine med/744 MeSH D004940 Benign esophageal stricture is a narrowing or tightening of the esophagus that causes swallowing difficulties.
Contents
Causes
It can be caused by or associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter, disordered motility, lye ingestion, or a hiatal hernia. Strictures can form after esophageal surgery and other treatments such as laser therapy or photodynamic therapy. While the area heals a scar forms, causing the tissue to pull and tighten which leads to difficulty in swallowing.[1]
Diagnosis
It can be diagnosed with an X-Ray while the patient swallows barium (called a barium study of the esophagus), by a computerized tomography scan (an X-Ray that can take pictures of the esophagus), a biopsy, to take a sample of tissue to check for esophageal cancer[2] or by an endoscopy (in which a scope is passed into the esophagus).
Incidence/prevalence
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects approximately 40% of adults. Strictures occur in 7 to 23% of patients with GERD who are untreated.[3]
Symptoms
Symptoms of esophageal strictures include heartburn, bitter or acid taste in your mouth, choking, coughing, shortness of breath, frequent burping or hiccups, pain or trouble swallowing, throwing up blood, or weight loss.[4]
Treatment
If it is caused by esophagitis, then it is treated by treating the infection (typically with antibiotics). In order to open the stricture, a surgeon can insert a bougie, a weighted tube used to dilate the constricted areas in the esophagus.[5] It can also be treated during an endoscopy with a special balloon that inflates in the esophagus (called "Dilation of the stricture"), or with other medications. For example, an H2 blocker medicine (e.g., ranitidine) or a proton-pump inhibitor (e.g., omeprazole) can treat underlying acid reflux disease.
Prevention
In order to try and avoid strictures, one should eat solid foods which naturally stretch the esophagus. However, one can still develop a stricture even if they do eat solid foods.[6]
References
- ^ Ginex, Pamela K., Manjit S. Bains, Jacqueline Hanson, and Bart L. Frazzitta. 100 Questions & Answers About Esophageal Cancer (100 Questions & Answers). New York: Jones and Bartlett, Inc., 2005. Print.
- ^ Discovery Health - Esophageal Strictue: Article by David J. Craner, MD (http://health.discovery.com/encyclopedias/illnesses.html?chrome=None&article=220&page=1)
- ^ eMedicine - Esophageal Stricture : Article by Rajeev Vasudeva
- ^ PDRhealth - Esophageal Stricture: (http://www.pdrhealth.com/disease/disease-mono.aspx?contentFileName=ND7417G.xml&contentName=Esophageal+Stricture&contentId=506&TypeId=2)
- ^ Ginex, Pamela K., Manjit S. Bains, Jacqueline Hanson, and Bart L. Frazzitta. 100 Questions & Answers About Esophageal Cancer (100 Questions & Answers). New York: Jones and Bartlett, Inc., 2005. Print.
- ^ Ginex, Pamela K., Manjit S. Bains, Jacqueline Hanson, and Bart L. Frazzitta. 100 Questions & Answers About Esophageal Cancer (100 Questions & Answers). New York: Jones and Bartlett, Inc., 2005. Print.
See also
- Esophageal diseases
- Esophageal spasm
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophagitis
External links
Categories:- Disease stubs
- Esophagus disorders
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