What is Esophageal Dilatation?

Esophageal dilatation, or dilation, is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus.

Doctors can use various techniques for this procedure. Your doctor might perform the procedure as part of a sedated endoscopy. Alternatively, your doctor might apply a local anesthetic spray to the back of your throat and then pass a weighted dilator through your mouth and into your esophagus.

Why is Esophageal Dilatation Done?

The most common cause of narrowing of the esophagus, or stricture, is scarring of the esophagus from reflux of stomach acid occurring in patients with heartburn. Patients with a narrowed portion of the esophagus often have trouble swallowing; food feels like it is “stuck” in the chest region, causing discomfort or pain. Less common causes of esophageal narrowing are webs or rings (which are thin layers of excess tissue), cancer of the esophagus, scarring after radiation treatment or a disorder of the way the esophagus moves (motility disorder).

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Source :  by VISHWA GASTRO & LIVER CLINIC, Nava Vadaj, Ahmedabad.

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