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Adv Med Sci 2021 Jun 3;66(2):279-283. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the level of inflammatory biomarkers related to eosinophilia: interleukins 5 (IL-5) and 13 (IL-13), eotaxin 3, major basic protein (MBP) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in patients with dysphagia and Schatzki ring (SR), as well as the characteristics of this group of patients in terms of the features differentiating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

Patients And Methods: We analyzed 42 patients with dysphagia, each of whom underwent panendoscopy with an assessment of the occurrence of SR, retrospectively assessed EoE Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS) total, inflammatory and fibrostenotic and serum concentrations of IL-5 and 13, TGF-β1, eotaxin 3 and MBP. All of them completed a symptom and comorbid questionnaire. Read More

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Jan 18. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Background/objective: The involvement of hydrochloric acid in the etiology of eosinophilic esophagitis and numerous reports on its coexistence and interaction with reflux disease, as well as the rings of the esophageal mucosa formed with the advancement of the disease, suggest a potential association of eosinophilic esophagitis with another disorder of esophageal morphology potentially caused by exposure to acid reflux-Schatzki ring. Therefore, it seems reasonable to check the relationship of eosinophilic esophagitis with the coexistence of the Schatzki ring as a potential effect of advanced esophageal trachealization, which is the subject of this systematic review with a meta-analysis.

Methods: The protocol of this meta-analysis was performed according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Read More

Emerg Radiol 2021 Apr;28(2):401-407

Mount Auburn Hospital, 330 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.

Fluoroscopy-guided esophageal disimpaction of ingested food is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient alternative to endoscopically guided disimpaction. Patients with suspected esophageal impaction usually require fluoroscopy to confirm the diagnosis and determine the level of obstruction, which guides further management. Proximal esophageal food impactions at or near the cricopharyngeus muscle require an ENT intervention. Read More

Dysphagia 2021 Jun 16;36(3):430-438. Epub 2020 Jul 16.

Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA.

Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is currently diagnosed according to the Chicago Classification V3 by an elevated median integrated relaxation pressure on high resolution manometry. However, EGJOO may not be an accurate diagnosis, as it may be based on abnormal IRP from an artifact, affected by narcotics, an achalasia variant, or a mechanical cause of obstruction. This heterogenous diagnosis can often lead to unnecessary testing and treatment. Read More

JSLS 2020 Apr-Jun;24(2)

Summa Health, Akron City Hospital, Akron, OH, USA.

Background And Objectives: The preoperative work up for bariatric surgery is variable and not all centers perform a preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. A study was undertaken to determine the frequency of clinically significant gross endoscopic and pathological diagnoses in a large sample of patients with obesity undergoing work-up for bariatric surgery.

Methods: Routine endoscopy was performed on all preoperative bariatric patients. Read More

J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020 May 17;35(5):708. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Department of Medicine, Marienhausklinik St. Josef Kohlhof, Neunkirchen, Germany.

Aten Primaria 2020 Jun - Jul;52(6):432-433. Epub 2019 Nov 10.

Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario de Móstoles, Móstoles, Madrid, España.

World J Gastroenterol 2017 Feb;23(6):1038-1043

Hafiz Hamad Ashraf, Harry Richard Dalton, Carolyn Waters, Iain Alexander Murray, Departments of Gastroenterology, Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust, Truro TR1 3LJ, United Kingdom.

Aim: To determine if patients can localise dysphagia level determined endoscopically or radiologically and association of gender, age, level and pathology.

Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive patients presenting to dysphagia hotline between March 2004 and March 2015 was carried out. Demographics, clinical history and investigation findings were recorded including patient perception of obstruction level (pharyngeal, mid sternal or low sternal) was documented and the actual level of obstruction found on endoscopic or radiological examination (if any) was noted. Read More

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2015 Dec;205(6):1182-7

2 Department of Gastroenterology, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA.

Objective: Symptomatic lower esophageal (Schatzki) rings are one of the most common causes of dysphagia and esophageal food impaction. Although these rings are often diagnosed fluoroscopically, patients are typically referred for dilation procedures performed by a gastroenterologist. Because these procedures are invasive and carry risks, including esophageal perforation, an alternative treatment option is needed. Read More

Gastrointest Endosc 2016 May 10;83(5):1024-6. Epub 2015 Nov 10.

Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Background And Aims: Schatzki rings are found in the distal esophagus, are associated with hiatal hernias, and present with intermittent dysphagia to solid foods. They can be identified by radiology (GI series or barium swallow studies) or endoscopy. Rings are not always visualized during endoscopy in patients in whom they are suspected clinically. Read More

Clin Med (Lond) 2015 Oct;15(5):477-81

University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK

Acute oesophageal symptoms include acute dysphagia or food bolus impaction (most commonly due to strictures, Schatzki ring and eosinophilic oesophagitis), acute chest pain with odynophagia due to oesophageal infections, motility disorders and acute oesophageal rupture (of which oesophageal intramural haematoma is a subtype). Acute full thickness oesophageal rupture carries a high mortality if not recognised early; the clinical features and conditions with which this may be confused are presented and discussed. Read More

Vestn Rentgenol Radiol 2015 Jan-Feb(1):5-15

Objective: To determine the importance of a symptom of Schatzki ring.

Material And Methods: The results of examining 95 patients aged 62-92 years with the symptoms of dyspepsia in the Netanya State Geriatric Center (Israel) in 1994-2004 were analyzed. Standard X-ray study of the upper digestive tract was complemented by provocation tests. Read More

Dis Esophagus 2014 Sep-Oct;27(7):607-10. Epub 2014 Feb 19.

Division of Gastroenterology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

A Schatzki ring is a submucosal, fibrotic thickening located at the gastroesophageal junction. Endoscopic treatment traditionally involves disruption of the ring. Many approaches have been described including bougies, balloons, biopsies, and diathermic monopolar incision. Read More

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2013 Nov;201(5):W678-82

1 All authors: Department of Surgery, Rutgers University/NJMS, University Hospital, 150 Bergen St, E-401, PO Box 1709, Newark, NJ 07101-1709.

Objective: The Schatzki ring was named for Richard Schatzki, a renowned radiologist who described the entity with his colleague, John E. Gary. The purpose of this article is to shed more light on a man who made such a significant contribution and to chronicle developments concerning this important radiologic finding. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2013 Oct;19(37):6188-92

Ashish Shah, Erica Boettcher, Marianne Fahmy, Thomas Savides, Denise Kalmaz, Department of Gastroenterology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.

Aim: To determine if esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) is an adequate diagnostic alternative to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in pre-bariatric surgery patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective pilot study to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ECE (PillCam ESO2, Given Imaging) vs conventional EGD in pre-bariatric surgery patients. Patients who were scheduled for bariatric surgery and referred for pre-operative EGD were prospectively enrolled. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2012 Dec;18(47):6960-6

Department of Gastroenterology, German Diagnostic Clinic, D-65191 Wiesbaden, Germany.

Aim: To investigate endoscopic findings in patients with Schatzki rings (SRs) with a focus on evidence for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

Methods: We consecutively approached all adult patients scheduled for elective outpatient upper endoscopy for a variety of indications at the German Diagnostic Clinic, Wiesbaden, Germany between July 2007 and July 2010. All patients with endoscopically diagnosed SRs, defined as thin, symmetrical, mucosal structures located at the esophagogastric junction, were prospectively registered. Read More

Pediatr Radiol 2012 Dec 11;42(12):1437-40. Epub 2012 Aug 11.

Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., ML 5031, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.

Background: A Schatzki ring (SR) is an uncommon finding in children. Entities previously associated with an SR include gastroesophageal reflux (GER), hiatal hernia (HH) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EE).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall incidence of SR and the frequency of the different entities associated with SR in the pediatric population. Read More

J Dig Dis 2012 Jun;13(6):304-9

Department of Internal Medicine, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: We aimed to determine the prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and define its clinical and endoscopic characteristics in Chinese patients.

Methods: Esophageal specimens obtained from January 2006 to December 2010 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were reviewed, and the data on clinical characteristics and endoscopic findings of patients were obtained. Patients with eosinophils ≥15 per high power field (HPF) were identified as having EoE. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2011 Jun;17(23):2838-43

Department of Gastroenterology, German Clinic for Diagnostics Wiesbaden, 65191 Wiesbaden, Germany.

Aim: To study, whether the association of Schatzki rings with other esophageal disorders support one of the theories about its etiology.

Methods: From 1987 until 2007, all patients with newly diagnosed symptomatic Schatzki rings (SRs) were prospectively registered and followed. All of them underwent structured interviews with regards to clinical symptoms, as well as endoscopic and/or radiographic examinations. Read More

Dysphagia 2012 Mar 15;27(1):101-5. Epub 2011 Jun 15.

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.

Dysphagia is a common problem and an indication for upper endoscopy. There is no data on the frequency of the different endoscopic findings and whether they change according to demographics or by single versus repeat endoscopy. To determine the prevalence of endoscopic findings in patients with dysphagia and whether findings differ in regard to age, gender, ethnicity, and repeat procedure. Read More

Frontline Gastroenterol 2011 Apr 12;2(2):117-123. Epub 2011 Jan 12.

Background: Upper oesophageal webs or rings have rarely been reported in association with heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM).

Objective: To describe the finding of oesophageal webs in association with HGM.

Design: Small case series. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2010 May 19;135(21):1061-6. Epub 2010 May 19.

Medzinische Klinik C, Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen.

Background And Objective: Benign non-peptic esophageal stricture (BNES) is a rare condition in routine clinical practice. The distribution of different diseases causing BNES is not known and the efficacy and safety of endoscopic treatment in this setting has not been established.

Patients And Methods: All patients with BNES undergoing endoscopic treatment at our hospital between 2000 and 2006 were assessed retrospectively and questioned by telephone. Read More

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2009 Aug;135(8):781-3

Department of Otolaryngology, Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders,Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.

Objective: To describe the safety of transnasal balloon dilation of the esophagus.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Two tertiary care institutions. Read More

Dysphagia 2005 ;20(4):273-7

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Syncope caused by swallowing-induced cardiac arrhythmia is an uncommon condition. The recognition of this syndrome is paramount but often difficult. We report three cases of deglutition syncope evaluated at our institution over a three-year period. Read More

Dis Esophagus 2005 ;18(1):4-16

Department of Surgery, Esophagus Division, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 715 2 andar, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Eponyms in medicine are frequently criticized because they may not represent the person who first described a syndrome or disease. Although eponyms are very commonly used, most readers are probably unaware of who it was that named the diseases and whether the original description of the disease still corresponds to the modern definition. The 10 most common eponyms in esophageal diseases were revisited. Read More

Am Surg 2004 Aug;70(8):684-6

Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee-Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Upper endoscopy is often performed in patients undergoing bariatric procedures. Various pathologies may be found during upper endoscopy that may change treatment plans for these patients. This study tested the hypothesis that routine use of upper endoscopy is necessary before laparoscopic gastric bypass. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2004 May;49(5):770-3

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.

Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in the presence of Schatzki ring. We performed a retrospective case-control study with an endoscopic database. Barrett's esophagus was present in 3 of 409 (0. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2004 Apr;38(4):436-41

Division of Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital Boston, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, 02115, USA.

Objective: To describe the clinicopathologic characteristics of children with Schatzki ring and to determine if Schatzki ring is associated with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Methods: The authors report 18 adolescents with radiographically diagnosed Schatzki ring (SR). Their clinical and histologic characteristics were reviewed in a blinded fashion. Read More