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Schatzki's Ring (Esophageal Ring)
Schatzki's ring refers to an anatomical narrowing in the lower one-third of the esophagus. In early development, the lumen (center) of the esophagus becomes completely obliterated and then reopens to form a hollow tube. A failure of this process leads to a ring (web or stricture) which partially blocks the end of the esophagus. This ring, known as Schatzki's ring, can lead to swallowing difficulty with some foods (large boluses of meat or bread). Esophageal strictures can also result from long standing (reflux) esophagitis or esophageal ulcers. Patients with this difficult to diagnose condition will often complain of difficulty swallowing or of a total inability to swallow. This will generally occur after a large bolus of food has become trapped at the ring. The patient will either "throw-up" the food bolus, thus relieving the obstruction (and the symptoms), or present to the doctor who will administer an UGI endoscopy to remove the esophageal blockage. Treatment involves the (endoscopic) mechanical disruption of the ring or a esophageal dilation procedure (enlarging the lumen). The Gastroenterologist is the expert in the evaluation of this problem.
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