Multiple esophageal webs: treatment and follow-up of seven patients

We have treated seven patients with multiple esophageal webs without a predisposing disorder. The patients ranged in age from 34 to 61 years and had suffered from dysphagia for 4 to 26 years. None had skin disease, a history of ingestion of a potentially caustic substance, or evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease by history or endoscopy. All patients responded to esophageal dilation, but dysphagia recurred in all during follow-up ranging from 6 months to 4 years, often requiring repeated dilation. Study of our patients and similar patients reported previously leads us to believe this unusual disorder is congenital.