Esophageal strictures may develop after corrosive injury. These can be graded based on the extent and degree of scarring. Grading the stricture is useful in guiding patient management.
Parameters:
(1) radial extent
(2) longitudinal extent
(3) consistency
Radial Extent
Longitudinal Extent
Consistency
Grade
noncircumferential, incomplete
short
fibrosis
1
string like annular stricture
elastic
2
stricture
short (<= 1 cm)
dense fibrosis
3
long (> 1 cm)
superficial fibrosis, easily dilated, nonprogressive
4a
deep fibrosis, tubular, progressive, not easily dilated
4b
Minor burns can often be dilated endoscopically, but Grade 4b lesions often require surgical resection.
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Gastroenterology
