Schatzki described the esophagogastric ring in 1953. It can be found in both symptomatic patients and in patients having routine upper gastrointestinal radiologic examinations. Various mechanisms have been proposed for its occurrence.
The esophagogastric ring occurs at the esophagogastric mucosal junction at the level of the proximal sphincter. It tends to occur in patients with cephalad displacement of the esophagogastric junction.
It may be overlooked if only a limited evaluation is performed.
Risk factors:
(1) reflux esophagitis
(2) eosinophilic esophagitis
Clinical findings may include:
(1) dysphagia for solid foods
(2) food impaction
Occasionally a patient with a Schatzki ring will have other esophageal lesions (diverticula, web, other).
A variety of procedures have been used to manage a ring causing obstructive symptoms including dilatation and endoscopic incision.
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