The lower esophageal ring and esophageal reflux.

Although the lower esophageal ring is an important cause of dysphagia in adults, its pathogenesis is unknown. To better define the relationship between the lower esophageal ring and esophageal reflux, we analyzed, retrospectively, the records of 18 hospitalized patients with radiologically demonstrated rings (16 confirmed by endoscopy and/or surgery). In 16 of these patients, evidence of esophageal reflux including at least one of the following was present: overt esophagitis noted at endoscopy or surgery (14 cases), histologic evidence of esophagitis (3 cases), and/or symptoms of pyrosis or free reflux (13 cases). These findings suggest that 1. reflux is frequently associated with lower esophageal rings and may play a role in their pathogenesis; 2. the radiologic finding of a ring should serve as a clue to the possibility of esophageal reflux and 3. long-term control of dysphagia in these patients may depend upon control of the associated reflux as well as mechanical disruption of the ring.