Oesophageal Stricture

An oesophageal stricture may cause no symptoms at all if it is wide, occasional sensations of difficulty with swallowing as a bolus of food becomes transiently held up in the oesophagus, or may cause more frequent or troublesome hold up of food. Occasionally food may obstruct the oesophagus altogether causing “bolus obstruction”. The cause of oesophageal strictures are numerous and varied. Some are congenital (your are born with them), some arise as a result of inflammation within the oesophagus, that then leads to scarring and narrowing of the passage (lumen)  through which food passes. The treatment very much depends on the tightness of the stricture and it’s underlying cause. If inflammation has driven the stricture then treating the cause of inflammation is key. This may be by reducing acid exposure if gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is the underlying problem. If oesophageal cancer or eosinophilic oesophagitis is the driver then treating the drivers for these conditions is key.