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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.



Review Date: 10/26/2002
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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