Title: Effectiveness of esophageal dilation for symptomatic cricopharyngeal bar - ScienceDirect
Headings: Effectiveness of esophageal dilation for symptomatic cricopharyngeal bar
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Case Study
Effectiveness of esophageal dilation for symptomatic cricopharyngeal bar
Background
Methods
Observations
Conclusions
Patients and methods
Observations
Representative case
Discussion
References

Content: Observations
All 6 patients experienced immediate relief of dysphagia. Five had continued improvement at short-term follow-up (1 to 4 weeks). Three patients still had complete resolution of dysphagia at long-term follow-up (range 8 to 27 months). Conclusions
CP bar is an important cause of dysphagia in elderly patients. Esophageal dilation of a CP bar can produce long-term relief of dysphagia. Previous article
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Dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is a primary cause of oropharyngeal or “transfer” dysphagia and can be associated with significant morbidity. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 The UES is a complex structure that is composed of the cricopharyngeus, the inferior pharyngeal constrictor, and the proximal cervical esophagus, with each muscle contributing differentially, depending on the physiologic state of the sphincter. 6 The major component of the UES is the cricopharyngeus or cricopharyngeal (CP) muscle. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
A CP bar is noted in 5% to 19% of patients who undergo dynamic pharyngeal radiography. 5, 8 It appears as a prominent, persistent, posterior indentation at the level of the lower third of the cricoid cartilage and is best visualized radiographically in the lateral projection.