Esophageal function after injection sclerotherapy: pathogenesis of esophageal stricture

Injection sclerotherapy effectively controls hemorrhage from esophageal varices. Treatment must be repeated at intervals to obliterate varices. Long-term sequelae of such treatment are unknown but may include stricture formation. To assess the impact of repeated sclerotherapy on esophageal function, this prospective study measured lower esophageal sphincter pressure, reflux, and motility in patients before and after treatment. Injection sclerotherapy had no effect on lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Reflux was common before treatment and became even more prevalent after treatment, with reflux occurring in 60 percent of postsclerotherapy patients. Striking disturbances in esophageal motility were observed after treatment. Injection sclerotherapy induces a chemical esophagitis that impairs esophageal motility. Delayed acid clearance in the presence of reflux results in superimposed acid esophagitis. Esophageal strictures may thus be produced. We advise a standard antireflux medical regimen in our sclerotherapy patients.