A Case of Stenosis of the Esophageal Orifice

Abstract

Various disorders can cause stenosis of the upper esophageal orifice, including mucous membrane pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, Behcet's disease, and the aftereffects of chemoradiation treatment of head and neck cancer. We experienced a case of stenosis of the upper esophageal orifice discovered by inability to perform upper gastrointestinal endoscopy through the constricted orifice. Reports of stenosis of the upper esophageal orifice complicated with Sjögren' s syndrome, as we found in this case, are rare. To treat mucous stenosis of the esophageal orifice, we performed surgery to open and enlarge the esophageal orifice. This enabled proper passage of an endoscope into the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. In everyday medical practice, the physician should keep in mind that dysphagia can be caused by a rare disorder which is difficult to observe, such as stenosis of the esophageal orifice.