June 18, 2013
Esophageal Stricture - Benign
Benign esophageal stricture is a narrowing of the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach) that causes swallowing difficulties.
Benign means that it is not caused by cancer of esophagus.
Back to TopCauses
Esophageal stricture can be caused by:
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- Injuries caused by an endoscope
- Long-term use of a nasogastric (NG) tube (tube through the nose into the stomach)
- Swallowing substances that harm the lining of the esophagus, such as household cleaners, lye, disc batteries, or battery acid
- Treatment of esophageal varices
Back to TopTreatment
Dilation (stretching) of the esophagus is the preferred treatment. You may need to have this treatment repeated after a period of time to prevent the stricture from narrowing again.
Proton pump inhibitors (acid-blocking medicines) can keep a peptic stricture from returning. Surgical treatment is rarely needed.
Back to TopOutlook (Prognosis)
The stricture recur in the future. This would require a repeat dilation.
Back to TopPossible Complications
Swallowing difficulties may keep you from getting enough fluids and nutrients. Solid food, especially meat, can get stuck above the stricture and endoscopy would be needed to remove it.
There is also an increased risk (with regurgitation) of having food, fluid, or vomit enter the lungs and cause choking or aspiration pneumonia.
Back to TopWhen to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if swallowing problems do not go away.
Back to TopPrevention
Use safety measures to avoid swallowing corrosive substances. Keep dangerous products out of the reach of children. See your doctor if you have GERD.
Back to TopReferences
Ginsberg GG, Pfau PR. Foreign bodies, bezoards, and caustic ingestions. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 25.
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