[Congenital stenosis of the esophagus. A rare diagnosis in children and adults]

Abstract

The authors report about 3 cases of congenital stenosis of the upper third of the esophagus. This is an exceptional condition, for which 3 main types are described: a mucous diaphragm, to be compared with membranous atresia, fibrous stenosis and stenosis caused by bronchial heterotopy. The location of the stenosis in the upper third of the esophagus is extremely rare. It results from a disorder in the revascularization of the esophageal tube. The diagnosis is established in the newborn, and less frequently in children and adults, in cases of vomiting, regurgitation or dysphagia. It is based on esograstroduodenal follow-through and fiberendoscopy, which allows ruling out other causes of benign narrowing. The treatment resorts to endoscopic dilatations and to surgery, which remains the safest method.