Pharyngo-oesophageal webs in dysphageal patients. A radiologic and clinical investigation in 1134 patients.

Among 1134 patients, cineradiologically examined because of dysphagia, 85 (7.5%) had webs in the pharyngo-oesophageal segment. Webs were more common in women (10%) compared to men (5%). Radiologic characteristics of the webs such as precise location, multiplicity, circumferential extension, thickness, accompanying streamline phenomenon and encroachment on the lumen, were compared to the presence of concomitant anaemia, thyroid disease, neoplasm, as well as the age and sex of the patients. Webs were regularly deeper in women compared to men. Patients with iron deficiency anaemia had thicker webs compared to patients without such anaemia. No other radiologic characteristics were found that could be used for distinguishing these potentially more significant webs from those in patients without such concomitant diseases.