Esophageal food bolus obstruction

Esophageal Food Bolus Obstruction

Esophageal food bolus obstruction (pronunciation: e-sof-uh-geel food bo-lus ob-struk-shun) is a medical condition where a large piece of food becomes lodged in the esophagus. This condition is also commonly referred to as steakhouse syndrome due to its frequent occurrence after eating large pieces of meat.

Etymology

The term esophageal is derived from the Greek words oisophagos which means gullet, and ballein which means to throw. Bolus is derived from the Latin bolus which means a small rounded mass. Obstruction is derived from the Latin obstructionem which means a building up.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of an esophageal food bolus obstruction is the sudden onset of chest pain. Other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), regurgitation, and drooling. In severe cases, patients may experience shortness of breath or choking.

Causes

Esophageal food bolus obstruction is typically caused by swallowing large pieces of food, particularly meat, without adequate chewing. Other causes may include esophageal narrowing due to conditions such as esophageal stricture or esophageal cancer, and disorders that affect esophageal motility such as achalasia.

Treatment

Treatment for esophageal food bolus obstruction typically involves the removal of the obstructing food bolus. This can be achieved through endoscopy, where a long, flexible tube (endoscope) is used to visualize and remove the obstruction. In some cases, medication may be used to relax the esophagus and allow the food bolus to pass.

Related Terms

• Esophagus
• Dysphagia
• Esophageal stricture
• Esophageal cancer
• Achalasia
• Endoscope
• Endoscopy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Esophageal food bolus obstruction
• Wikipedia's article - Esophageal food bolus obstruction

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