Which therapy is used for an esophageal stricture detected on diagnostic testing?

• A. Balloon dilation
• B. Thyroid hormone supplementation
• C. Foreign body removal
• D. Esophageal stent placement

Answer: (A)

Esophageal strictures are fixed narrowings that make swallowing difficult. When such a narrowing is found on diagnostic testing, the therapy of choice is endoscopic balloon dilation. During the procedure, a deflated balloon is placed across the narrowed segment and then gradually inflated to widen the lumen, directly addressing the mechanical obstruction. The dilation typically improves swallowing and can be repeated if the stricture recurs. Other options don’t fit: thyroid hormone wouldn’t treat a structural narrowing, foreign body removal targets a discrete object rather than a fixed narrowing, and esophageal stents are usually reserved for malignant or refractory cases rather than first-line management of a benign stricture.