An esophageal stricture is a structural narrowing of the esophagus, the muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. The narrowing of this tube leads to difficulties in swallowing and, sometimes, pain and regurgitation. If untreated, it could lead to undernutrition, with severe weight loss. The causes of esophageal strictures may be benign or malignant.
Cancer of the Esophagus
A growth in the wall of the esophagus from a cancer would narrow the tube to the point that swallowing becomes increasingly more difficult. As the American Cancer Society states, cancer of the esophagus is more common in the older generation, with most of the cases seen after 65 years of age.
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD, also known as reflux disease, results from a backward flow of acidic stomach contents into the lower portions of the esophagus, with chemical burns and scarring of the esophagus. If left untreated, the scarring could lead to the narrowing of the esophagus, with the development of a stricture. According to the National Institutes of Health, the risk factors for developing GERD include hiatal hernia, pregnancy and scleroderma. Obesity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption also increase your chances of developing GERD.
Prolonged Use of Nasogastric Tubes
In certain surgical patients and unconscious patients, nasogastric tubes, which are passed through the nose to the stomach, are used to feed patients or keep their stomachs free of contents. Local pressure effects from these tubes on the lining of the esophagus could cause a tissue reaction that could lead to a narrowing of the esophagus.
Swallowing Corrosive Substances
Accidental swallowing of corrosive chemicals like lye, especially in children, could lead to chemical burns in the esophagus. The resultant scar tissue formed by the healing process of these burns could lead to a stricture. Suicide attempts with ingestion of caustic fluids could also result in the development of strictures.
Treatment of Esophageal Varices
Esophageal varices are dilated blood vessels in the lining of the lower part of the esophagus. The National Institutes of Health reports that any cause of chronic liver disease can lead to the development of varices. These blood vessels have an increased tendency to bleed and require some aggressive surgical intervention. Healing with scar tissue formation in the lower part of the esophagus after surgery could result in stricture formation.
Injuries from Endoscopy
Endoscopy is required for direct visualization of a number of situations involving the gastro-intestinal tract. For this procedure, a tube with a light source is introduced through the esophagus into the stomach and intestines. There could be an injury to the esophagus during this process, with scarring and narrowing of the esophagus.
Other Inflammatory Conditions of the Esophagus
Inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) from any other cause, like infections (herpes virus and cytomegalovirus), autoimmune disease (eosinophilic esophagitis) and irradiation to the chest as seen in radiotherapy for lung or breast cancer, can all lead to scarring and the development of a stricture in the esophagus.
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