BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuLower esophageal ringEsophagogastric ring; Schatzki's ring; Dysphagia - esophageal ring; Swallowing problems - esophageal ringA lower esophageal ring is an abnormal ring of tissue that forms where the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach) and stomach meet. Causes A lower esophageal ring is a narrowing of the esophagus that occurs in a small number of people. The cause of the problem is unclear, but many believe that it is caused by acid reflux.Narrowing of the esophagus may also be caused by:Injury Tumors Esophageal strictureEsophageal strictureBenign esophageal stricture is a narrowing of the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). It causes swallowing difficulties. Benign mean...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms For most people, a lower esophageal ring does not cause symptoms.The most common symptom is the feeling that food (especially solid food) is stuck in the lower neck or under the breastbone (sternum). Exams and Tests Tests that show the lower esophageal ring include:EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) EGDEsophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (the duodenum)....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Barium swallow (x-ray with barium)Barium swallow (x-ray with barium)An upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment A device called a dilator is passed through the narrowed area to stretch the ring. Sometimes, a balloon is placed in the area and inflated, to help widen (dilate) the ring. Outlook (Prognosis) Swallowing problems may return. You may need repeat treatment. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have swallowing problems.Open ReferencesReferencesDeVault KR. Symptoms of esophageal disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.Madanick RD, Kaila V. Anatomy, histology, embryology, and developmental anomalies of the esophagus. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 43.AllVideoImagesTogSchatzki ring - x-ray - illustration A solution containing a dye (barium), which is visible on x-rays, has been swallowed (upper GI series) and x-rays have been taken of the esophagus. There is a narrowing near the stomach (indicated by the arrow). This non-cancerous ring of tissue (Shatzki ring) may cause swallowing problems (dysphagia) and can be treated with dilation of the stricture.Schatzki ring - x-rayillustrationUpper gastrointestinal system - illustration The upper gastrointestinal organs include the mouth, esophagus and stomach.Upper gastrointestinal systemillustrationSchatzki ring - x-ray - illustration A solution containing a dye (barium), which is visible on x-rays, has been swallowed (upper GI series) and x-rays have been taken of the esophagus. There is a narrowing near the stomach (indicated by the arrow). This non-cancerous ring of tissue (Shatzki ring) may cause swallowing problems (dysphagia) and can be treated with dilation of the stricture.Schatzki ring - x-rayillustrationUpper gastrointestinal system - illustration The upper gastrointestinal organs include the mouth, esophagus and stomach.Upper gastrointestinal systemillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 10/31/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Lower esophageal ringEsophagogastric ring; Schatzki's ring; Dysphagia - esophageal ring; Swallowing problems - esophageal ringA lower esophageal ring is an abnormal ring of tissue that forms where the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach) and stomach meet. Causes A lower esophageal ring is a narrowing of the esophagus that occurs in a small number of people. The cause of the problem is unclear, but many believe that it is caused by acid reflux.Narrowing of the esophagus may also be caused by:Injury Tumors Esophageal strictureEsophageal strictureBenign esophageal stricture is a narrowing of the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). It causes swallowing difficulties. Benign mean...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms For most people, a lower esophageal ring does not cause symptoms.The most common symptom is the feeling that food (especially solid food) is stuck in the lower neck or under the breastbone (sternum). Exams and Tests Tests that show the lower esophageal ring include:EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) EGDEsophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (the duodenum)....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Barium swallow (x-ray with barium)Barium swallow (x-ray with barium)An upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment A device called a dilator is passed through the narrowed area to stretch the ring. Sometimes, a balloon is placed in the area and inflated, to help widen (dilate) the ring. Outlook (Prognosis) Swallowing problems may return. You may need repeat treatment. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have swallowing problems.Open ReferencesReferencesDeVault KR. Symptoms of esophageal disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.Madanick RD, Kaila V. Anatomy, histology, embryology, and developmental anomalies of the esophagus. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 43.