An esophageal stricture may develop in patients following medication-induced esophageal injury, especially if certain risk factors are present.
Risk factors for esophageal strictures:
(1) male gender
(2) older age
(3) left atrial enlargement (compressing the mid-esophagus)
(4) chronic ingestion of sustained release formulation
(5) previous structural or motility abnormality (favoring reduced drug transit)
The presence of a stricture indicates a significant area of fibrosis, which usually involves a relatively large area of injury, typically with ulceration.
The differential diagnosis includes pre-existing stricture found during the workup. An existing stricture can be made worse with superimposed drug injury.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
