Fifteen consecutive patients presenting with
dysphagia due to
aluminum phosphide (AP)-induced esophageal
strictures were studied retrospectively to elucidate the natural history of AP-induced esophageal
strictures and to evaluate the efficacy of bougie dilation. The median time lag between consumption of AP and occurrence of
dysphagia was 3 weeks. All patients had a single
stricture and could be dilated using a bougie dilator. Thirteen patients were relieved of
dysphagia on a mean (SD) follow-up of 18 (7.3) months. Two patients had recalcitrant
strictures and needed needle-knife incision of the
stricture followed by balloon dilation. The
strictures opened up well in both the patients and they were relieved of
dysphagia. AP-induced
esophageal stricture is a new cause of benign
esophageal stricture. Most patients present with
dysphagia around 3 weeks after consumption of AP
tablets. A single
esophageal stricture is found in these patients. Most
strictures respond very well to bougie dilation. However, some of the
strictures may be recalcitrant and may require needle-knife incision and balloon dilation.