Congenital esophageal webs

Congenital esophageal webs are rare entities. These lesions generally occur in the upper one third of the esophagus and present symptomatically in early childhood. Dysphagia and 'feeding' difficulties are characteristic presenting symptoms. Radiographic studies generally reveal a normal appearing esophageal lumen with the exception of a single thin indentation of the esophageal lumen that is located either anteriorly or circumferential in nature. We describe two children with congenital esophageal webs and review the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of these unusual lesions. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.