1 Section of Pediatric Surgery, Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan
2 Espanola Hospital, Espanola, New Mexico
3 Department of Radiology
4 Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque
The lower esophageal contraction ring was first described by Templeton,1 but Schatzki and Gary2 in 1953 defined it as a distinct entity. Since this initial report, a consensus about some features of the lower esophageal ring has been reached. Most authors agree that it can be either symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptoms of esophageal obstruction or inflammation can be associated with or ascribed to this ring, and its occurrence in association with symptoms indicates some form of therapy. The ring can be found in association with hiatal hernia. It occurs at the junction of squamous and columnar mucosa,3 and histologically it demonstrates minimal inflammation involving only the mucosal layer.4