Schatzki ring A Schatzki ring is a ring of tissue near the end of the food pipe (esophagus) just above the opening to the stomach. Many people have them and don't know it, because most of the time Schatzki rings don't cause symptoms. The area with the ring is narrower than the rest of the food pipe. Symptoms may occur when food gets caught at the ring before reaching the stomach. This can happen when solid food, such as steak or bread, isn't chewed enough. A Schatzki ring can cause chest pain or a feeling that the food is stuck and won't move into the stomach. After the food moves into the stomach, the symptoms go away. In more severe cases, the food gets stuck and the person must bring the food back up before they can eat normally again. When a Schatzki ring causes ongoing swallowing problems, a doctor may use an endoscope or dilator to stretch or open the ring. SchatzkiDiagnosis Ring A Schatzki ring is a ring of tissue near the end of the foodLower pipe (esophagus)esophageal just rings above may the be opening diagnosed to the clinicallystomach. Manyand confirmedpeople by barium swallow (a have them and don’t know it, because most of the time radiologicalSchatzki rings study don’t causeto assess symptoms. swallowing) and upper endoscopy (using a tube to enter the mouth in order to view the esophagus and stomach). The area with the ring is narrower than the rest of the food pipe. Symptoms may occur when food gets caught at the ring before reaching the stomach. This can happen when solid food,Treatment such as steak or bread, isn’t chewed enough. A Schatzki ring can cause chest pain or a feeling that the food is stuck and won’t move into the stomach. After the food moves into the stomach, the symptoms go away. In more severe cases, the food getsThe stuck majority and the ofperson symptomatic must bring thepatients food back can upbe before treated they with can theeat passage of dilators, which normally again. open the mucosal ring. Single dilations of symptomatic lower esophageal rings are safe, easily performed, and well tolerated. Recurrences can be successfully treated by repeated dilations. When a Schatzki ring causes ongoing swallowing problems, a doctor may use an endoscope or dilator to stretch or open the ring. Diagnosis Lower esophageal rings may be diagnosed clinically and confirmed by barium swallow (a radiological study to assess swallowing) and upper endoscopy (using a tube to enter the mouth in order to view the esophagus and stomach). Treatment The majority of symptomatic patients can be treated with the passage of dilators, which open the mucosal ring. Single dilations of symptomatic lower esophageal rings are safe, easily performed, and well tolerated. Recurrences can be successfully treated by repeated dilations. 1015 S. Hackett Rd., Waterloo, Iowa 50701 Barbara Burkle, ARNP Ravi Mallavarapu, MD Tracy Elliott, ARNP Srinivas Kalala, MD 319.234.5990 Kelli DeSerano, ARNP Arun Muthusamy, MD Suhag Patel, MD CVMS complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not Moaz Sial, MD discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. CedarValleyGI.com SPANISH : ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. CHINESE : Rev. 1-9-20.