Schatzki Ring Imaging 

Lower esophageal rings were described first by Templeton in 1944. The vast majority of patients with lower esophageal rings are asymptomatic. In fact, lower esophageal rings are found during 6-14% of all routine upper gastrointestinal barium examinations. Lower esophageal rings that cause symptoms (true Schatzki rings) occur in only 0.5% of patients undergoing these examinations. Schatzki rings are a common cause of intermittent dysphagia. (See the images below.)

The association of intermittent dysphagia with lower esophageal rings was reported by Ingelfinger and Kramer and also by Schatzki and Gary in 1953.^{[1, 2]} The term Schatzki ring is reserved for a lower esophageal mucosal ring that causes intermittent dysphagia. Thus, the diagnosis of a Schatzki ring is based on both clinical and radiologic findings.

Some investigators have demonstrated that Schatzki rings become narrowed during serial radiographic examinations and that they transform into actual peptic strictures. Even so, endoscopic biopsy and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring have failed to show any symptoms or signs of gastroesophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis in more than one third of patients with Schatzki rings.

Preferred examination

Barium esophagography is the preferred method of detection of Schatzki rings. Single-contrast esophagography performed with the patient drinking in the prone position is more sensitive in detecting lower esophageal mucosal rings than is erect double-contrast imaging of the esophagus.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is not as sensitive as barium esophagography in detecting lower esophageal rings. In one study, endoscopy failed to depict more than one third of radiologically demonstrated lower esophageal rings, half of which had caused symptoms and dysphagia.

Limitations of techniques

Esophageal rings may be missed during barium esophagography if distention of the distal esophagus is inadequate; therefore, adequate distention of the esophagus during barium esophagography is imperative. This distention is best achieved by using a single-contrast technique in the prone or right or left anterior oblique position with large boluses of barium. A modified Valsalva maneuver also may help in demonstrating the ring by distending the associated hiatal hernia.

On barium esophagography, lower esophageal mucosal rings are manifested by a thin circumferential constriction at the gastroesophageal junction. These rings almost always are associated with a sliding hiatal hernia. The ring itself has smooth, symmetrical margins and is only 2-4 mm in height. (See the image below).^{[3, 4, 5, 6]}

As with all esophageal rings and strictures, the lumen of the esophagus has to be dilated beyond the caliber of the ring if the ring is to be visualized; therefore, adequate distention of the distal esophagus is of paramount importance and is achieved best by using single-contrast, prone examinations. (See the image below.)

A barium pill of known diameter (eg, 12 mm) may be used at the end of the examination to determine the functional luminal caliber of the ring. Most symptomatic rings (true Schatzki rings) are 13 mm or less in caliber.

Degree of confidence

The finding of a fixed, smooth, narrow, circumferential ring at the esophagogastric junction in a patient with dysphagia is virtually diagnostic of a Schatzki ring.

False positives/negatives

In addition to Schatzki rings, other causes of distal esophageal narrowing are a ringlike peptic stricture, a lower esophageal muscular ring (A ring), focal esophageal cancer, and an esophageal web.

Focal annular peptic strictures are usually asymmetrical, and they often have a vertical thickness greater than 5 mm. Lower esophageal muscular rings, also termed contractile rings or A rings, are a normal area of contraction in the distal esophagus located a few centimeters above the gastroesophageal junction. These should not be confused with Schatzki rings.

In contrast to Schatzki rings, which are fixed anatomic mucosal structures, lower esophageal muscular rings are transient, smooth, thick, circumferential indentations in the esophagus. If observed long enough during the course of the examination, these muscular rings will relax and disappear.

A patient may have both a mucosal ring at the gastroesophageal junction and a muscular ring a few centimeters more proximal.

A focal carcinoma of the lower esophagus should not be confused with a mucosal ring. In contrast to Schatzki rings, esophageal cancers have an irregular contour, they are asymmetrical, and they have shelflike borders within the narrowed segment. These features help to distinguish them from true mucosal rings.

Uncommonly, esophageal webs can be circumferential and resemble a mucosal ring, but they are most commonly found in the cervical esophagus. Rarely, esophageal webs can be found in the distal esophagus, but these webs are located above the gastroesophageal junction; therefore, they can be differentiated from lower esophageal mucosal rings. More often than not, esophageal webs do not produce a complete circumferential ring and appear as only a thin indentation on one side of the esophagus.