Endoscopic Treatment of Esophageal Stenosis

The most common cause of narrowing in the esophagus is wound formation in the lower part of the esophagus as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

• When such a narrowing occurs, patients have difficulty swallowing food and feel as if the food is stuck in the esophagus in the chest area.
• Esophagitis due to caustic (irritant) substances
• thin membrane or ring formation in the esophagus (Schatzki ring, etc.)
• cancers of the esophagus or adjacent organs pressing on the esophagus
• strictures after radiation therapy
• connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma
• some very rare esophageal diseases such as eosinophilic esophagitis
• functional diseases of the esophagus such as achalasia.

Stenosis Treatments:

• As in the other parts of the digestive system, dilatation with balloons and bougies is the most common treatment for stenosis. Since the esophagus is adjacent to vital organs, this procedure requires a lot of precision and patients should be followed for an appropriate period after the procedure.

Procedure Complications

• Bleeding and perforation of the esophagus are serious complications that may occur.
• chest pain,
• shortness of breath,
• fever,
• palpitations, cold sweats,
• extreme fatigue
• red blood or black stools from the mouth