Lower esophageal ring (Schatzki)

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Schatzki ring - X-ray

Upper gastrointestinal system

Lower esophageal ring (Schatzki)

Definition:

An abnormal ring of tissue located at the junction of the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach) and the stomach, which can cause swallowing problems.

Alternative Names:

Esophagogastric ring; Schatzki's ring

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Physicians disagree on the cause of this disorder except where it obviously follows ingestion of caustic material (such as lye or strong acids). It may be a congenital defect (present from before birth). Alternatively, it may be related to chronic injury caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which stomach acid leaks into the esophagus and irritates it.

Esophageal rings are known to occur from drinking a caustic material and resulting scar tissue. The condition may produce swallowing difficulties.

Symptoms:

Difficulty swallowing
Chest pain under the sternum (breastbone)

Signs and tests:

Tests that show the lower esophageal ring include:

An EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
A barium swallow

Treatment:

Initial treatment typically consists of dilating (stretching) the ring by passing a dilator or balloon through the ring. Any associated reflux should also be treated. Surgical cutting (excision) of the ring may be necessary if dilation is unsuccessful.

Expectations (prognosis):

It is possible that the difficulty swallowing may return, and repeat dilation may be necessary.

Complications:

There are usually no complications except for the noted difficulty swallowing and chest pain.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms suggestive of this disorder develop, to rule out other causes of the symptoms and to determine the best treatment for you.

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