Does Dysphagia Indicate Recurrence of Benign Esophageal Strictures?
Author Information
Author(s): Olle Ekberg, Anders Borgstrom, Frans-Thomas Fork, Eje Lovdahl
Primary Institution: Malmö General Hospital, University of Lund, Sweden
Hypothesis
The study aims to correlate symptoms of dysphagia and dietary restrictions to the true diameter of the esophageal stricture and esophageal dysmotility in patients with benign esophageal strictures.
Conclusion
The clinical history is not a reliable indicator for evaluating the results of esophageal stricture dilatation, and objective measurements using barium swallow are recommended.
Supporting Evidence
- Of 15 patients with dysphagia, 2 (13%) had no narrowing but severe esophageal dysmotility.
- Of 13 patients without dysphagia, 9 (69%) had a stricture with a diameter of 13 mm or less.
- Of 21 patients with a stricture of 13 mm or less, 14 (67%) were symptomatic while 7 (33%) were asymptomatic.
Takeaway
This study looked at patients with swallowing problems caused by narrow spots in their esophagus and found that just because someone doesn't feel pain doesn't mean their esophagus is wide enough.
Methodology
The study involved a follow-up examination of 28 patients who had undergone balloon dilatation for benign esophageal strictures, using interviews and radiologic esophagrams.
Potential Biases
Patients may deny symptoms to avoid further procedures, leading to potential underreporting of dysphagia.
Limitations
The follow-up period varied and may influence the results, and the study relied on patient-reported symptoms which can be subjective.
Participant Demographics
Median age was 72 years, with a range from 31 to 90 years.
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