Schatzki ring

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Schatzki ring
gastro-esophageal junction in the background.
SpecialtyMedical genetics Edit this on Wikidata

A Schatzki ring or Schatzki–Gary ring is a narrowing of the lower

mucosal tissue (which lines the esophagus) or muscular tissue.[1] A Schatzki ring is a specific type of "esophageal ring", and Schatzki rings are further subdivided into those above the esophagus/stomach junction (A rings),[2] and those found at the squamocolumnar junction in the lower esophagus (B rings).[2][3]

Patients with Schatzki rings can develop intermittent difficulty swallowing or, more seriously, a completely blocked esophagus. The ring is named after the German-American physician Richard Schatzki.

Signs and symptoms

Not all patients with Schatzki rings have symptoms;

barium swallow tests of the esophagus sometimes show Schatzki rings in patients with no swallowing difficulties.[citation needed
]

When Schatzki rings cause symptoms, they usually result in episodic difficulties with swallowing (dysphagia) solid foods, or a sensation that the food "sticks" while swallowing, especially if the food is not chewed thoroughly. Patients usually are able to

fibre-optic camera in order to remove the lodged food.[4] After the obstruction is located, snares or forceps are inserted to pull the food out of the esophagus or to push it into the stomach. The latter is done with caution, usually when the anatomy of the structures around the obstruction is already known.[citation needed
]

Other associations

Cause

Although many hypotheses have been proffered, the cause of Schatzki rings remains uncertain; both

congenital and acquired factors may be involved.[citation needed
]

Diagnosis

Schatzki B ring at barium swallow.

A Schatzki ring is usually diagnosed by

gastro-esophageal junction, where the esophagus joins the stomach. Schatzki rings can often resemble a related entity called an esophageal web. Esophageal webs also contain extra mucosal tissue, but do not completely encircle the esophagus.[citation needed
]

Endoscopies and barium swallows done for other reasons often reveal unsuspected Schatzki rings,[7] meaning that many Schatzki rings are asymptomatic.[citation needed]

Two varieties of Schatzki rings have been described. The original description by Schatzki and Gary was of a ring of fibrous tissue seen on autopsy; this is the less common type of Schatzki ring.[1] More commonly, the ring consists of the same mucosal tissue that lines the entire esophagus.

Treatment

Asymptomatic Schatzki rings seldom worsen over time, and need no treatment.[citation needed]

Symptomatic Schatzki rings may be treated with

stomach acid reflux into the esophagus. The duration of the benefit of dilation varies, but may be from months to years. Dilation may be repeated if narrowing recurs.[citation needed
]

Epidemiology

About 6 to 14 percent of patients who receive a routine

barium swallow test of the esophagus are found to have a Schatzki ring.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^
    PMID 13104726
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4557-2613-4
    .
  3. ^ "Obstruction: Esophageal Disorders: Merck Manual Home Health Handbook".
  4. S2CID 6247162
    .
  5. S2CID 22262483
    .
  6. S2CID 32046189
    .
  7. PMID 12869689
    . Retrieved 2006-07-20.
  8. PMID 10385715
    .
  9. PMID 13752844
    .

External links
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