증상을 동반한 식도 근륜

Symptomatic muscular rings are extremely rare, and some authors have even disputed their existence. The lower esophageal muscular ring, or A ring, located about 2cm proximal to the squamocolumnar junction and are covered by squamous epithelium. These rings consist of an annular narrowing of hypertrophic muscular tissue in the esophageal body. Recently, we experienced 2 cases of symptomatic muscular ring of the esophagus and the findings. Case 1) A 52 year-old male with dysphagia, chest pain and regurgitation for several years, had esophagogram, endoscopy, esophageal motility studies and chest CT. Under the diagnosis of esophageal muscular ring, the patient had pneumatic baUoon dilatation (3.0 cm in diameter, Rigiflex), under which the patient experienced perforation of the lower esophagus and required surgery. We confirmed muscular ring of the esophagus as shown by a thickened muscularis propria layer, without other pathologic findings. Case 2) A 60 year-old male complaining of intermittent dysphagia, had esophagogram, endoscopy, esophageal motility studies and EUS. Under the diagnosis of esophageal muscular ring, he is now being treated with calcium channel blocker and nitrate, and has experienced minimal symptom improvement. We report 2 cases of symptomatic muscular ring of low esophagus with review of literature. (Korean Joumal of Gastrointestinal Motility 1999;5:33-38)