gastrointestinal disorders
Obstructive Disorders of the Esophagus
Introduction
Most esophageal obstruction develops slowly and is incomplete when patients first seek care, typically for difficulty swallowing solids. However, sometimes complete esophageal obstruction develops suddenly because of an impacted Esophageal Foreign Bodies or food bolus. (See also Overview of Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders .) Obstruction may have intrinsic or extrinsic causes. Intrinsic obstructionmay be caused by Esophageal Foreign Bodies None Esophageal tumors ( Benign Esophageal Tumors or Lower Esophageal Ring None Esophageal Web None Strictures caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or, rarely, Extrinsic obstructionmay be caused by compression resulting from An enlarged left atrium An Overview of Aortic Aneurysms None An aberrant subclavian artery (termed Dysphagia Lusoria ) A substernal thyroid gland Cervical bony exostosis A Chest Wall Tumors None For evaluation of potential esophageal obstruction, see Evaluation . Treatment of obstruction is directed at the specific cause. Emergent upper endoscopy is essential for patients with complete obstruction. 