Schatzki's ring

[Andrubut]

  I was diagnosed last year with a Schatzki’s ring. I had had
  difficulty swallowing for about 3 years prior and when it became
  severe enough, an endoscopy showed the ring. A bougie was
  inserted to open the passage, that was in June 1997. I was told
  that the condition might not be cleared completely and that a
  second procedure might be necessary eventually. At the end of
  July of this year, while on holiday, I had to be brought by
  ambulance to the closest hospital, because, while eating at a
  restaurant, my food had blocked completely in my esophagus to
  the point where I couldn’t even swallow my saliva. The emergency
  room surgeon did an endoscopy, saw and showed me the Schatzki
  ring on the monitor and told me that the condition was NOT
  congenital but was caused by acid reflux and prescribed Pantoloc.
  He did not perform the opening because I had obligations that
  prevented me from a prolonged stay at the hospital, I am
  currently on the waiting list for that procedure. My question
  is related to the apparent contradiction with your glossary
  definition of the Schatzki’s ring as a congenital condition and
  what that surgeon told me. The symptoms only started when I was
  about 41 years old, so I am inclined to rule out that this was
  congenital in my case. Is there a good case to pursue with the
  Pantoloc once the second opening is done? Or am I doomed to
  repeat this ordeal on a regular basis? Thank you very much.
___________
dear Andre,
Narrowing of the distal esophagus may represent a Scatki ring ( a congenital problem that may only cause symptoms after many years) or it may be an acquired narrwoing ( esophageal stricture due to refluxed acid into the esophagus causing inflammation and scarring).  It may be difficult to distinguish between the two conditons at endoscopy.  To prevent future episodes of obstruction, you should have a repeat dilation and verification that the narrowing has been distended.  This can be done with a barium swallow of a material like a marsh,ellow.  You should also stay on the acid suppressor in case your problem is due to acid reflux.  With appropriate dilation, you should be able to avoid future problems.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  always consult your personal physician for specific medical questions.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: schatzki ring, esopageal reflux, stricture
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