title: Proximal strictures of the esophagus.
abstract: Proximal esophageal strictures have received little attention in the gastroenterologic literature. Of 238 esophageal strictures endoscopically recognized at the Phoenix V.A. Medical Center over the past 7 1/2 years, 20 lesions were in the upper or mid and upper esophagus (8.4%). Sixty percent of these lesions were benign, mostly as the result of total laryngectomy and postoperative irradiation. In contrast to more distal lesions, proximal esophageal strictures often required initial rigid bougienage with Peustow dilators and frequent dilation thereafter.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004106:Dilatation / Q000379:methods; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects