The process of normal digestion largely depends on the state of the esophagus. Moreover, any irregularities in its functioning lead to a complication of the work of the nearby organs of the abdominal, thoracic cavity and mediastinum. Especially dangerous in this case stenosis of the esophagus, which is a pathological narrowing of its lumen, preventing the passage of food into the stomach.
Causes of esophageal stenosis
Factors predisposing to the development of the disease in question:
- embryonic malformations of the esophagus;
- reflux esophagitis ;
- peptic cicatrizing ulcers;
- hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm;
- chronic gastritis;
- toxicosis during pregnancy;
- stomach ulcer;
- infectious esophagitis;
- mechanical, chemical, thermal damage to the esophagus;
- collagenoses;
- cancer;
- mycoses;
- benign tumors;
- enlarged lymph nodes, neoplasms in the mediastinum;
- aortic aneurysm;
- abnormally located nearby vessels.
Symptoms of stenosis of the esophagus
Congenital stenosis is noticeable from the first days of life, it is manifested by the abundant separation of saliva, regurgitation of unalloyed milk, the discharge of viscous mucus from the nose.
The acquired type of pathology develops slowly:
- In the first stage, there are sometimes difficulties in swallowing solid food.
- Dysphagia of the 2nd degree is characterized by the ability to take only semi-liquid food.
- With the progression of dysphagia, a person in a state has only liquids (stage 3) or can not swallow at all (grade 4).
Additionally, patients complain of chest pain, laryngospasm, choking, coughing attacks.
Effective treatment of esophageal stenosis
Therapy depends on the degree of dysphagia and the severity of the symptoms. It consists of the following activities:
- diet (liquid, semi-liquid food);
- taking astringent and antacid preparations ;
- balloon dilatation;
- bougienage.
In the presence of dense scar structures on the 3-4 stages of stenosis it is recommended:
- endoscopic dissection;
- endoprosthetics;
- resection of the narrowed section;
- esophagoplasty;
- gastrostomy.