ABSTRACT
Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is a rare condition. CES is defined as an intrinsic stenosis of the esophagus, caused by congenital malformation of the esophageal wall. Stenosis due to tracheobronchial remnants is the most common form of CES; this condition is localized in the distal esophagus. In CES with tracheobronchial remnants, seromucous tracheobronchial glands and ciliated epithelium have been usually observed during microscopic examination of the stenotic esophageal wall. Symptoms of CES include vomiting or regurgitation, dysphagia, recurrent respiratory tract infections, and growth retardation. Although the etiology of CES usually has congenital origins, symptoms rarely develop in newborns. Difficulties in determining the differential diagnoses of CES and being able to distinguish CES from achalasia, from secondary esophageal stenosis, and particularly, from a stricture due to reflux esophagitis have resulted in various clinical problems during treatment of CES. The principal aims of CES treatment include the alleviation of symptoms and maintenance of the antireflux mechanism of the gastroesophageal junction.
