Health Encyclopedia - Diseases
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Schatzki's Ring

Description of Schatzki's Ring
Causes of Schatzki's Ring
Symptoms of Schatzki's Ring
Diagnosis of Schatzki's Ring
Treatment for Schatzki's Ring
What Questions to ask Your Doctor About Schatzki's Ring?

Description of Schatzki's Ring

This is a ring of tissue in the lower esophagus located at or near the border of the lower esophageal sphincter. It is also known as a lower esophageal ring. Being confined to the mucosa, it differs from an inflammatory (peptic) stricture, which involves all layers of the esophagus.

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Causes of Schatzki's Ring

Schatzki's Ring is always associated with a hiatal hernia.

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Symptoms of Schatzki's Ring

Most are over 20 millimeters in diameter and are asymptomatic. Solid food dysphagia (difficulty swallowing solid food) most often occurs with rings less than 13 mm in diameter. The dysphagia is usually intermittent and is not progressive.

Large, poorly digested food such as steak are most likely to cause problems. Drinking extra liquids or regurgitation may relieve the obstruction.

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Diagnosis of Schatzki's Ring

Lower esophageal rings may be diagnosed clinically and confirmed by barium swallow (a radiological study to assess swallowing) and upper endoscopy (using a tube to enter the mouth in order to view the esophagus and stomach).

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Treatment for Schatzki's Ring

The majority of symptomatic patients can be treated permanently with the passage of large (17 to 20 millimeter) dilators, which disrupt the mucosal ring. Single dilations of symptomatic lower esophageal rings are safe, easily performed, and well tolerated. Recurrences can be successfully treated by repeated dilations.

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