title: Hiatal hernia in the African.
abstract: Eight cases of symptomatic hiatal hernia were investigated; four presented with respiratory symptoms simulating chronic asthmatic bronchitis or bronchopneumonia. Among 27 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux but without radiologically visible hernia, six presented with fibrous stricture; no stricture was found in association with hiatal hernia. It is suggested that patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux should be offered surgical follow-up or surgery to prevent the development of a stricture before the more easily recognizable symptoms of heart burn and postural acid regurgitation get worse.
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D004944:Esophagoplasty; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria