Peptic esophageal stricture: medical treatment

Dig Dis. 2009;27(1):31-7. doi: 10.1159/000210101. Epub 2009 May 8.

Abstract

Peptic esophageal stricture as a consequence of gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most frequent among benign esophageal strictures. The incidence is low and has been decreasing since the 1990s with a parallel increase in proton pump inhibitor use. Dysphagia is a common symptom: accurate diagnostic procedures (barium esophagogram, upper endoscopy with biopsies) have to be performed to exclude malignant causes first. Medical (acid-suppressive) therapy, endoscopic dilation and surgical intervention are the main therapeutic options. Based on the results of randomized and observational studies evaluating the effect of acid-suppressive therapy on peptic stricture outcome, healing the coexistent esophagitis seems to be essential. Effective acid-suppressive therapy with proton pump inhibitors may reduce the need for repeated dilations and provide symptom relief and better clinical outcome. In refractory strictures, local steroid injection is likely beneficial.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Deglutition Disorders / epidemiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / therapy
  • Dilatation*
  • Esophageal Stenosis / epidemiology
  • Esophageal Stenosis / etiology
  • Esophageal Stenosis / therapy*
  • Esophagitis / epidemiology
  • Esophagitis / etiology
  • Esophagitis / therapy
  • Esophagoscopy*
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / complications*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Recurrence
  • Retreatment

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors