Extramucosal stenosis of the esophagus

Extramucosal lesions of the esophagus compose a small but clinically important group of diagnoses presenting as stenosis. Because of their infrequency, they can present a diagnostic dilemma in patients with dysphagia, odynophagia, or radiologic abnormalities on imaging studies. Definitive management is frequently conservative, consisting of reassurance; definitive surgical management, however, may be necessary.