PROCEDURES - Esophageal Dilatation

Difficulty swallowing, also called dysphagia, is a common symptom that can arise from a number of conditions. Sometimes, when a person has trouble swallowing, it is because there is an area in the esophagus, or swallowing tube, that is narrowed. Other people can have a stricture, or a build-up of scar tissue, that causes food to get "stuck" on the way down into the stomach. Some people are even born with "rings", or layers of excess tissue, in the esophagus that makes it more difficult to swallow food. These patients may benefit from esophageal dilation.

This procedure is performed during an upper endoscopy. Click to learn more about upper endoscopy; you will learn how to prepare for your upper endoscopy, during which the dilation will take place.